The Words of the Qur’an: Concise in Expression yet Comprehensive in Meaning, A Perspective from Khaṣā’iṣ al-Qur’ān by Fahd bin ‘Abdurraḥmān ar-Rūmī

Abstract

This study is motivated by the distinctive linguistic style of the Qur’an, which conveys profound meanings through concise expressions. Such a characteristic reflects the dimension of i‘jāz bayānī, namely the combination of rhetorical beauty and the persuasive power of revelation. The research focuses on the correlation between brevity of expression (ījāz al-lafẓ) and breadth of meaning (tawassu‘ al-ma‘nā) as elaborated by Fahd bin ‘Abdurraḥmān al-Rūmī in his work Khaṣā’iṣ al-Qur’ān. Employing a qualitative descriptive design, this study applies content analysis to both primary and secondary sources. The findings demonstrate that the Qur’an is able to present clarity (bayān) together with depth of meaning in concise form (ijmāl). This unique balance confirms the miraculous nature of the Qur’an, which surpasses human linguistic capacity. The novelty of this research lies in its focused analysis of the integration of ijmāl and bayān according to al-Rūmī, showing not only the Qur’an’s linguistic dimension but also its practical relevance for Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic preaching, and education in contemporary contexts that demand messages which are brief yet rich in meaning.