I'rab of Surah Al-Mutaffifin Ayah 9: word by word Arabic grammar
Surah Al-Mutaffifin (المطففين) · Meccan · Ayah 9
كِتَٰبٌۭ مَّرْقُومٌۭ TransliterationKitaabun marqoom
MeaningIt is a written record.
A two-word descriptive answer: 'a written record.' Kitaab is the predicate of an omitted subject understood as 'it,' so the meaning is 'It is a written record.' Marqum is an adjective qualifying kitaab, agreeing with it in being nominative and indefinite.
Word by word i'rab
predicate of an omitted subject (khabar li-mubtada' mahdhuf)
It is the predicate of an unstated subject understood as 'it,' so the sense is 'it is a record.'
nominativeadjective (na't) qualifying kitaab
It is an adjective describing kitaab as inscribed, agreeing with it as nominative and indefinite.
nominativeDetailed i'rab
This verse answers the rhetorical question of verse 8 with a concise nominal description. Kitaab is nominative, serving as the predicate (khabar) of a subject that has been omitted; the implied subject is the pronoun 'it' (huwa), so the full sense is 'It is a written record.' The deletion of the subject is common in answers where the referent is clear from context. Marqum, also nominative and indefinite, is an adjective (na't) describing kitaab; it agrees with its noun in case, number, gender, and definiteness, conveying that the record is sealed and clearly inscribed. The whole sentence functions as the explanatory reply that defines what was magnified in the preceding verse.
Frequently asked
Where is the subject of this nominal sentence?
The subject is omitted and understood as the pronoun 'it' (huwa); kitaab is the stated predicate.
What is the relationship between kitaab and marqum?
Marqum is an adjective describing kitaab and therefore matches it in case (nominative), number, gender, and indefiniteness.