I'rab of Surah Al-Infitar Ayah 11: word by word Arabic grammar
Surah Al-Infitar (الانفطار) · Meccan · Ayah 11
كِرَامًۭا كَٰتِبِينَ TransliterationKirāman kātibīn(a)
MeaningNoble, recording.
"Noble, recording." Both words are adjectives describing the guardians mentioned in the previous ayah. كِرَامًا ("noble") and كَاتِبِينَ ("recording/writing") are in the accusative to agree with حَافِظِينَ, the noun of إِنَّ, which is also accusative.
Word by word i'rab
adjective of "guardians"
An adjective in the accusative "noble," agreeing with hafizin (the noun of inna) from the previous ayah, marked by tanwin fath.
accusativeadjective of "guardians"
A second adjective "recording/writing," also accusative to agree with hafizin, shown by the sound masculine plural ending -in.
accusativeDetailed i'rab
This short verse provides two adjectives describing حَافِظِينَ, the noun of إِنَّ from the previous ayah. كِرَامًا ("noble, honorable") is an adjective in the accusative case, its ending shown by the doubled fatha (tanwin), agreeing in case with the noun it qualifies. كَاتِبِينَ ("writing, recording") is a second adjective, likewise accusative, its case marked by the يـن ending of the sound masculine plural. Both follow حَافِظِينَ in case because adjectives agree with their described noun in case, number, and definiteness. Together they characterize the guardian angels as honorable scribes who faithfully record the deeds of every person.
Frequently asked
What do كِرَامًا and كَاتِبِينَ describe?
They are adjectives describing حَافِظِينَ ("guardians") from the preceding ayah, portraying them as noble, recording angels.
Why are both words in the accusative case?
Adjectives match their described noun in case; since حَافِظِينَ is accusative as the noun of إِنَّ, its adjectives are accusative too.
Why does كِرَامًا end in tanwin but كَاتِبِينَ in -in?
كِرَامًا is a broken plural taking regular case endings with tanwin, while كَاتِبِينَ is a sound masculine plural whose accusative is marked by the يـن ending.