I'rab of Surah Al-Mutaffifin Ayah 21: word by word Arabic grammar
Surah Al-Mutaffifin (المطففين) · Meccan · Ayah 21
يَشْهَدُهُ ٱلْمُقَرَّبُونَ TransliterationYash-haduhul-muqarraboon
MeaningThose brought near bear witness to it.
A single verbal sentence describing the written record: yashhaduhu is a present verb carrying an attached object pronoun referring to the record, and al-muqarrabun is its subject in the nominative, marked by the sound-masculine-plural ending, telling us that those brought near witness this register.
Word by word i'rab
present verb with attached object pronoun
Yashhadu is a present-tense verb in the indicative, and the attached hu is its direct object referring to the written record.
indeclinablesubject (fa'il)
Al-muqarrabun is the subject of the verb in the nominative, marked by the sound-masculine-plural ending waw and nun.
nominativeDetailed i'rab
This verse is a verbal sentence built on the present-tense verb yashhadu, which is in the indicative mood as nothing precedes it to change its ending. Attached to it is the object pronoun hu, which functions as the direct object and refers back to the written record (kitab) mentioned in the previous ayah. The agent of the action is al-muqarrabun, 'those brought near,' which stands as the subject (fa'il) in the nominative case, its case shown by the sound-masculine-plural suffix waw and nun. The clause as a whole can be read as a further adjective for kitab or as an independent description, conveying that the noble register is attended and witnessed by those drawn close to God.
Frequently asked
What does the pronoun hu in yashhaduhu refer to?
It refers to the written record (kitab) mentioned in the preceding verse. It is the direct object of the verb, so the meaning is 'they witness it.'
Why is al-muqarrabun in the nominative case?
Because it is the subject (fa'il) performing the action of witnessing. Its nominative case appears through the sound-masculine-plural ending, the letters waw and nun.