Sūrat al-Insān (Part 2)
Final part of observations on the structure, organization, and coherence of Sūrat al-Insān
This is PART 2. Please read PART 1 before proceeding.
It has also been proposed that Sūrat al-Insān can be organized in a slightly different ring structure to show parallels throughout.1
Broken down into its parallels, the sūrah looks as so:
The one parallel that may need further clarification is between [I3] and [I3’]. In [I3] the shade is said to be brought near (‘alay-hi) just as the Quran was revealed and brought near (‘alay-ka) to the Messenger ﷺ in [I3’]. Similarly, the fruits are humbled and brought down to the inhabitants of Paradise in [I3]. Likewise, in [I3’], the Messenger ﷺ is told to humble himself in prayer and to bow down in doing so.
Another proposed structure sees the sūrah as a short parallel.2
But breaking it down into its detailed components, we find a parallel between the first sections, and a ring structure between the latter sections.
Finally, when one studies Sūrat al-Insān, we see that there is an emphasis on freedom of choice, so it is interesting that most of the topics mentioned in this sūrah are in pairs, as if to emphasize the options we have while we are still alive.3
And Allah ﷻ knows best.
The following observations are thanks to Ammar Ljevaković.
This structure is again thanks to Nouman Ali Khan.
I would like to again thank Ammar Ljevaković for sharing his observations.