Ring Structure in the Qur’an
Allah—there is no god except Him—is the Living One, the All-sustainer.
Neither drowsiness befalls Him nor sleep.
To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth.
Who is it that may intercede with Him except with His permission?
He knows what is in front of them and what is behind them,
and they do not comprehend anything of His knowledge except what He wishes.
His seat embraces the heavens and the earth
and He is the All-exalted, the All-supreme.
and He is not wearied by their preservation
Ayat al-Kursi
A: Allah—there is no god except Him—is the Living One, the All-sustainer.
A': and He is the All-exalted, the All-supreme.
Ayat al-Kursi
A: Allah—there is no god except Him—is the Living One, the All-sustainer.
B: Neither drowsiness befalls Him nor sleep.
C: To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth.
D: Who is it that may intercede with Him except with His permission?
E: He knows what is in front of them and what is behind them,
D': and they do not comprehend anything of His knowledge except what He wishes.
C': His seat embraces the heavens and the earth
A': and He is the All-exalted, the All-supreme.
B': and He is not wearied by their preservation
Ayat al-Kursi
Chiasm: A B C C' B' A'
Kinds of Patterns
Parallelism: A B C A B C
Concentrism: A B C ... X ... C' B' A'
Ring Structure
Raymond Farrin (2014). Structure and Qur'anic Interpretation: A Study of Symmetry and Coherence in Islam's Holy Text
A B C ... X ... C' B' A'
A and A' share a similar theme (and B and B', C and C', etc.)
The attention is drawn towards X, a central theme that the passage conveys.
Ring Structure
Also called chiastic structure, ring composition, or ring theory
A
B
C
D
E
D'
C'
B'
/A'
A (1-39): Believers vs. Disbelievers; Allah's creation and knowledge;
parables for disbelievers
B (40-121): Moses delivers law to Children of Israel
C (122-141): Abraham is tested; Abraham and Ismail build the Ka'bah
D (142-152): The qibla’s change in direction; Muslims are a “middle nation”
C' (153-171): Muslims will be tested; Safa and Marwa
B' (172-242): The law is delivered to Muslims
A' (243-286): Believers vs. Disbelievers; Allah’s creation and knowledge;
parables for believers
Surah al-Baqarah
Raymond Farrin (2014). Structure and Qur'anic Interpretation: A Study of Symmetry and Coherence in Islam's Holy Text
B (40-121): Moses delivers law to Children of Israel
D (142-152): The qibla's change in direction; Muslims are a “middle nation”
B' (172-242): The law is delivered to Muslims
Surah al-Baqarah
2:115: وَلِلَّهِ الْمَشْرِقُ وَالْمَغْرِبُ ۚ فَأَيْنَمَا تُوَلُّوا فَثَمَّ وَجْهُ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
2:142: قُل لِّلَّهِ الْمَشْرِقُ وَالْمَغْرِبُ
2:177: لَّيْسَ الْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ
D (142-152): The qibla's change in direction; Muslims are a “middle nation”
Surah al-Baqarah
Thus We have made you a middle nation that you may be witnesses to the people, and that the Apostle may be a witness to you. We did not appoint the qiblah you were following, but that We may ascertain those who follow the Apostle from those who turn back on their heels. It was indeed a hard thing except for those whom Allah has guided. And Allah would not let your prayers go to waste. Indeed Allah is most kind and merciful to mankind.
2:143
We certainly see you turning your face about in the sky. We will surely turn you to a qiblah of your liking: so turn your face towards the Holy Mosque, and wherever you may be, turn your faces towards it! Indeed those who were given the Book surely know that it is the truth from their Lord. And Allah is not oblivious of what they do.
2:144
Surah Yusuf
A (1-3): Prologue
B (4-101): Prophet Yusuf’s Story
A’ (102-111): Epilogue
Surah Yusuf
B (4-101): Prophet Yusuf’s Story
a (4-7): Dream
b (8-19): Brother’s trick; well; travel to Egypt
c (20-22): Yusuf established in the land
d (23-35): Attempts at seduction
e (36-49): Prisoner's dream; Yusuf’s sermon; King's dream
d’ (50-53): Admission of guilt; forgiveness
c’ (54-57): Yusuf established in the land
b’ (58-98): Yusuf’s tricks; drinking cup; travel to Egypt
a’ (99-101): Dream fulfilled
Surah Yusuf
e (36-49): Prisoner's dream; Yusuf's sermon; King's dream
He said: 'Before any food comes to feed either of you, I will give you its interpretation. That which I will tell you has been taught to me by Allah. I reject the belief of a nation who do not believe in Allah and disbelieve in the Everlasting Life.
I follow the creed of my fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is not for us to associate anything with Allah. Such is the favor of Allah to us, and to mankind. Yet most people do not give thanks.
My fellowprisoners, say which is better, many gods at variance, or Allah the One, the Conqueror?
That which you worship, other than Him, are nothing but names which you and your fathers have named and for which Allah has sent down no authority. Judgement rests with Allah alone. He has commanded you to worship none except Him. That is the right religion, yet most people do not know.
(12:37-40)
And proclaim the Hajj to all the people: they will come to you on foot and on lean camels, coming from distant places,
22:27
Surah al-Hajj
that they may witness the benefits for them, and mention Allah’s Name during the known days over the livestock He has provided them. So eat thereof and feed the destitute and the needy.
Then let them do away with their untidiness, fulfill their vows, and circle around the Ancient House.
That. And whoever venerates the sacraments of Allah, that is better for him with his Lord. You are permitted [animals of] grazing livestock except for what will be recited to you. So avoid the abomination of idols, and avoid false speech,
as persons having pure faith in Allah, not ascribing partners to Him.
Whoever ascribes partners to Allah is as though he had fallen from a height, then [his corpse] is devoured by vultures, or [his remains are] blown away by the wind far and wide.
That. And whoever venerates the sacraments of Allah—indeed that arises from the Godwariness of hearts.
You may benefit from them until a specified time. Then their place of sacrifice is by the Ancient House.
For every nation We have appointed a rite so that they might mention Allah’s Name over the livestock He has provided them.
Your God is the One God, so submit to Him. And give good news to the humble
Surah al-Hajj
Resources
Ring Structure
By Shayan Doroudi
