I'rab of Surah An-Naba Ayah 5: word by word Arabic grammar
Surah An-Naba (النبأ) · Meccan · Ayah 5
ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَيَعْلَمُونَ Transliterationthumma kallā sa-yaʿlamūn(a)
MeaningThen, no! They will surely know.
An emphatic repetition: "Again, no! They will come to know." Thumma is a connective particle adding sequence and emphasis, kalla again deters, and sa-ya'lamuna repeats the future warning. The doubling intensifies the threat against those who deny the resurrection.
Word by word i'rab
conjunction (harf 'atf)
A connective particle conveying sequence and, here, added emphasis by linking this verse to the previous warning.
indeclinableparticle of deterrence (radʿ wa zajr)
Repeated for emphasis, again rebuking and restraining the deniers from their questioning.
indeclinablefuture particle + verb with subject
The sin marks the near future and ya'lamuna is an imperfect indicative verb with its attached plural subject pronoun waw.
nominativeDetailed i'rab
This verse repeats the warning of verse 4 with added force. It begins with thumma, a connective particle that ordinarily marks sequence with some interval, here joining the two warnings and reinforcing the emphasis. Next comes kalla, the same indeclinable particle of rebuke and deterrence, restated to drive home the rejection of their doubt. The final element again pairs the futurity particle sa- with the imperfect indicative verb ya'lamuna, marked by the retained nun, its subject the attached plural pronoun. The repetition of the entire admonition is a rhetorical device of intensification in Arabic, leaving no doubt that the deniers will face the reality they dispute.
Frequently asked
Why is the warning repeated in verses 4 and 5?
The repetition, joined by thumma, is for emphasis, stressing the certainty of the coming knowledge and threat.
What kind of particle is thumma?
It is a conjunction (harf 'atf) indicating sequence, used here to connect and intensify the two parallel warnings.