I'rab of Surah An-Naba Ayah 38: word by word Arabic grammar
Surah An-Naba (النبأ) · Meccan · Ayah 38
يَوْمَ يَقُومُ ٱلرُّوحُ وَٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ صَفًّۭا ۖ لَّا يَتَكَلَّمُونَ إِلَّا مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ وَقَالَ صَوَابًۭا TransliterationYawma yaqumu ar-ruhu wal-mala'ikatu saffan la yatakallamuna illa man adhina lahu ar-Rahmanu waqala sawaba
MeaningThe Day when the Spirit and the angels stand in ranks, they will not speak except for one whom the Most Merciful permits, and who says what is right.
This ayah describes the Day when the Spirit and the angels stand in ranks; none will speak except whom the Most Merciful permits, and that one speaks only what is right. "Yawma" is an adverb of time, "saffan" is an absolute object, "man" is a nominative substitution from the subject of "speak," and "sawaban" is an accusative object qualifying an omitted noun.
Word by word i'rab
adverb of time (zarf zaman)
An accusative adverb of time linked to the earlier negated verb "yamlikuna," meaning "on the Day."
accusativeverb (fi'l)
A present-tense verb meaning "stands," forming a clause that defines the adverb "Day."
indeclinablesubject (fa'il)
The nominative subject of "stands," referring to the Spirit.
nominativeconjoined subject (ma'tuf)
Joined by "and" to "the Spirit," sharing the nominative case as part of the subject.
nominativeabsolute object (maf'ul mutlaq)
An accusative absolute object of an omitted verb, conveying that they stand arrayed in ranks.
accusativenegative particle (nafiya)
A particle of negation giving the following verb a negated sense.
indeclinableverb with subject (fi'l wa fa'il)
A present-tense verb meaning "they speak," with its embedded plural subject.
indeclinableexceptive particle (istithna')
A particle of exception introducing what is excluded from the negation.
indeclinableappositive substitute (badal)
A relative pronoun in the nominative position, standing as a substitute from the subject of "they speak."
nominativeverb (fi'l madi)
A past-tense verb meaning "permitted," forming the relative clause of "man."
indeclinableprepositional phrase (jarr wa majrur)
It attaches to the verb "permitted," meaning "for him."
genitivesubject (fa'il)
The nominative subject of "permitted," naming the Most Merciful.
nominativeconjoined verb (ma'tuf)
A past-tense verb "and says/said," joined to "permitted" within the relative clause.
indeclinabledirect object (maf'ul bihi)
The accusative object qualifying an omitted noun, the sense being "says correct speech."
accusativeDetailed i'rab
"Yawma" is an accusative adverb of time tied to the negated verb "yamlikuna" of the previous verse. Its clause is formed by "yaqumu" (stands), whose nominative subject is "al-ruh," with "al-mala'ika" conjoined to it and likewise nominative. "Saffan" is an accusative absolute object of an implied verb, picturing them ranged in ranks. The next clause begins with the negation "la" and the verb "yatakallamuna" with its plural subject. "Illa" introduces an exception, and "man" is a nominative relative pronoun functioning as a substitute (badal) from the subject of "speak." Its clause is "adhina lahu al-Rahman," with "al-Rahman" the nominative subject. "Wa qala" is conjoined within that clause, and "sawaban" is its accusative object, qualifying an omitted noun, meaning "correct speech."
Frequently asked
Why is "yawma" in the accusative case?
It is an adverb of time (zarf zaman) connected to the negated verb "yamlikuna" from the previous verse, so it carries the accusative case.
What is the grammatical role of "man" in this verse?
It is a relative pronoun in the nominative position acting as a substitute (badal) from the subject of the verb "they speak."
Why is "saffan" accusative?
It is an absolute object (maf'ul mutlaq) of an omitted verb, describing how they stand arranged in ranks.