I'rab of Surah An-Naba Ayah 26: word by word Arabic grammar
Surah An-Naba (النبأ) · Meccan · Ayah 26
جَزَآءًۭ وِفَاقًا Transliterationjazā'an wifāqā(n)
MeaningA recompense perfectly fitting.
A two-word verse describing the punishment as a fitting recompense. Jaza'an is an absolute object of an implied verb, and wifaqan is its descriptive adjective. Both are accusative, conveying that the penalty exactly matches the wrongdoers' deeds.
Word by word i'rab
absolute object (maf'ul mutlaq)
It is the verbal noun of an understood verb, accusative, expressing that the punishment is given as a recompense.
accusativeadjective (na't)
It describes jaza'an and agrees with it in the accusative, conveying that the recompense is exactly matched to the deeds.
accusativeDetailed i'rab
This concise verse is grammatically governed by an omitted verb whose verbal noun appears explicitly. Jaza'an ("a recompense") functions as an absolute object: it is the cognate masdar of an implied verb such as "they are recompensed," and therefore takes the accusative. The following word wifaqan ("fitting, matching") is an adjective qualifying jaza'an, so it agrees with its noun in case and is likewise accusative. The pairing produces a tight, balanced phrase: the suffering described in the preceding verses is not arbitrary but is a measured repayment, precisely proportionate to the disbelief and denial the wrongdoers practiced.
Frequently asked
What does it mean that jaza'an is an absolute object?
It is the verbal noun of an implied verb. Arabic often drops the verb and keeps its masdar in the accusative to emphasize the action itself, here the act of recompensing.
Why is wifaqan accusative?
It is an adjective describing jaza'an and must agree with it in case, so it carries the same accusative ending.