The Omission of the Subject of Predication (Musnad Ilayh) in Surah Ya-Sin - A Rhetorical Study in the Exegesis of Sheikh Muhammad ibn Yusuf Atfayyish -
Keywords:
Predicand omission, rhetorical exegesis, Sheikh Atfayyish, Surah Ya-Sin, Qur’anic inimitability (i‘jāz bayānī), Ibadi school of exegesisAbstract
This study examines the phenomenon of the Predicand (musnad ilayh) omission (subject ellipsis) in Surah Ya-Sin through the methodological lens of Sheikh Muhammad ibn Yusuf Atfayyish (1236–1332 AH/1820–1914 CE) in his Qur’anic commentary The Facilitation of Exegesis (Taysir al-Tafsir).
The study aims to uncover the rhetorical and grammatical dimensions of this phenomenon, analyze the rhetorical purposes that govern it, and compare Atfayyish’s approach with those of earlier rhetorical exegetes—most notably al-Zamakhshari (d. 538 AH/1144 CE) and Abu al-Su‘ud (d. 982AH/1574 CE).
The study adopts a descriptive-analytical methodology in examining the exegetical texts and a comparative methodology in tracing points of convergence and divergence among the exegetes.
The study concludes that Atfayyish made a distinctive contribution to the development of rhetorical exegesis through his precise integration of grammatical analysis and rhetorical deduction, while preserving the distinctive character of the Ibadi school of exegesis.
