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Latest post Mon, Sep 10 2007 6:51 PM by Anonymous. 2 replies.
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Quickpua  +  415671 Fri, 07 Sep 07 10:30 PM
    Hi everyone,

I think that I'm in the sub-forum that allows any kind of post, right?

I'm interested in getting some expert opinion on the following.  I've been given a link to a site that says that the Koran is holy due to it having several linguistic attributes.  I don't speak Arabic and I am not a linguist, so I am not sure if they are speaking the truth.  But assuming that they are, does it mean that this pattern of writing cannot be duplicated?  Because the Koran says that if you doubt the holiness of it, then try to write something like it.  I'm not an English major and cannot really comment on the following since these concepts are like Chiense to me.  I wanted to know what you think of this.  Thank you!

Just so that you don't think that this is a spam that is trying to promote Islam, I can post the link to my debate with a Muslim where this came up...just ask if you want me to post it.  Thanks in advance for your input.

The Qur'an achieves a unique linguistic genre by unifying rhetorical and cohesive
elements of language in every verse. Most Arabic texts simply use cohesive elements
with some use of language that attempts to please or persuade (rhetoric). Any change
to the Qur'anic structure ceases to sound like a Qur'an and removes its
communicative effect.
---
The Qur'an is a literary form in its own right. It is can not fit into the forms of poetry,
rhymed prose and prose. This is achieved by the unique combination of metrical and
non-metrical composition, by not adhering to the rules of poetry and prose and by the
use of literary devices that are unknown in Arabic prose. This is done within the scope
of the classical Arabic grammar.
---
The Qur'an can only be described as a 'sea of rhetoric'. It employs more rhetorical
features than any other text.
Quickpua
Joined on Fri, Sep 7 2007
New Member 02
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Forbes  +  416273 Sun, 09 Sep 07 12:15 PM

I am not a Christian, but I think that much, if not all, of what is said above about the Koran can also be said about the King James Bible. Take this example:

1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

 2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

 3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

 4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.

 5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.

 6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.

 7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.

 8 All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

 9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

 10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

 11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

 12 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

 13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.

 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

 15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.

 16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

 17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

 18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

That is magnificent.
Forbes
Joined on Thu, Jun 16 2005
Regular Member 895
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Anonymous, 2 yr 75 days ago
Thanks Forbes, so there is nothing miraclous about it, right?  :o)

I mean, can someone write a 500 page book using this kind of style?
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