I'rab of Surah Abasa Ayah 16: word by word Arabic grammar
Surah Abasa (عبس) · Meccan · Ayah 16
كِرَامٍۭ بَرَرَةٍۢ TransliterationKiramin bararah
MeaningNoble and dutiful.
This ayah describes the scribes as "noble and dutiful." Both words are adjectives qualifying "scribes" from the previous verse, so each carries the same genitive case and indefinite ending, continuing the chain of praise that now describes the angels who record and convey revelation.
Word by word i'rab
adjective (na't)
An adjective "noble" describing the "scribes" of the previous verse, so it is genitive and indefinite to agree with it.
genitiveadjective (na't)
A second adjective "dutiful, righteous" also describing the scribes, likewise genitive and indefinite.
genitiveDetailed i'rab
Both words continue to describe سَفَرَةٍ ("scribes") from verse 15. كِرَامٍ ("noble") is an adjective qualifying that noun; since سَفَرَةٍ is genitive and indefinite, كِرَامٍ matches it and ends in kasra with tanwin. بَرَرَةٍ ("dutiful, righteous") is a second adjective stacked on the same noun, again agreeing in case and definiteness. Both adjectives are plural forms suited to the plural noun "scribes," preserving full agreement. Like verse 14, this verse contains no verb and forms no new clause; it simply extends the descriptive noun phrase, piling praise upon the scribes. The cumulative effect across verses 13 to 16 is a richly qualified description: honored, exalted, purified scrolls carried by noble, dutiful scribes.
Frequently asked
Whom do كِرَامٍ and بَرَرَةٍ describe?
They describe سَفَرَةٍ ("scribes") in verse 15. Both are adjectives agreeing with that noun in being genitive, plural, and indefinite.
Why are these adjectives genitive?
They follow and qualify سَفَرَةٍ, which is genitive as the possessor in the construct "hands of scribes." Adjectives agree with their noun in case, so they too are genitive.