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Encyclopedia of Religion entry for
Eloquence
. The Arabic word al-Bayan, 
, which is defined in the Ghiyasu ‘l-Lughah as speaking fluently and eloquently, occurs once in the Qur’an, Surah lv 3: ‘He created man: he hath taught him distinct speech." The word also occurs in the Traditions, and it is remarkable that although the Qur’an is written in rhythm, and in grandiloquent style, that in the Traditions, the Prophet seems to affect to despise eloquence as will be seen from the following Ahadis: - Ibn Umar says that the Prophet said, "May they go to hell who amplify their words." Abu Umamah relates that the Prophet said, "Eloquence (al-bayan) is a kind of magic." Ibn Masud relates that the Prophet said, vain talking and embellishing (bayan) are two branches of hypocrisy." ‘Amr ibn al- ‘Asi relates that the Prophet said, " I have been ordered to speak little, and verily it is best to speak little." (Mishkat, xxii c ix.)
citations: Dictionary of Islam, Hughes
article created 2006-04-12 , last updated 2006-04-12
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