I'rab of Surah Abasa Ayah 39: word by word Arabic grammar
Surah Abasa (عبس) · Meccan · Ayah 39
ضَاحِكَةٌۭ مُّسْتَبْشِرَةٌۭ TransliterationDahikatun mustabshirah
MeaningLaughing, rejoicing at good news.
This verse continues describing the bright faces as laughing and rejoicing. Both 'laughing' and 'rejoicing at good news' are further predicates or attributes of the same 'faces' from the previous verse, all in the nominative.
Word by word i'rab
second predicate (khabar) of 'wujooh'
It is an additional predicate of 'wujooh' from the previous verse, in the nominative, describing the faces as laughing.
nominativethird predicate (khabar) of 'wujooh'
It is a further predicate of the same subject in the nominative, describing the faces as delighted with good tidings.
nominativeDetailed i'rab
Both words in this verse continue the description of 'wujooh' (faces) introduced in verse 38. 'Dahikatun' is an additional predicate (khabar) of that subject, in the nominative and agreeing with it, portraying the faces as laughing. 'Mustabshiratun' is yet another predicate, also nominative, depicting them as rejoicing at glad tidings. Arabic readily allows multiple predicates for a single subject, so 'wujooh' is here described in succession as bright (musfirah), laughing (dahikah), and joyful (mustabshirah). Alternatively, these may be read as successive adjectives qualifying the faces; either analysis keeps them all in the nominative in agreement with 'wujooh.'
Frequently asked
Can a single subject have more than one predicate?
Yes. Arabic allows a subject to take several predicates in sequence, so 'wujooh' is described as shining, then laughing, then rejoicing, each in the nominative.
Why are both words nominative?
They agree with their subject 'wujooh,' which is nominative; whether taken as predicates or as adjectives, they follow it in case.
What is the subject these words describe?
They describe 'wujoohun' (faces) mentioned in the preceding verse 38, continuing its description.