Is it permissible to say that there is an extra letter in the Qur'an?
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The questioner : Is it permissible to say that there is an extra letter in the Qur'an?
The Shaykh : If there is an extra preposition in a verse, say it is extra in terms of grammar. Some grammarians call it a connective letter, but there is no basis for that; rather, it is said to be an extra preposition grammatically. Among the expressions that may be used is: "It is extra, extra." What does "extra, extra" mean? Extra in wording, extra in meaning. The first "extra" is from the intransitive verb *zada* (to increase), and the second is from the transitive verb *zada*, because *zada* can be used as both intransitive and transitive. Allah said:[Muhammad 47:17] Is it transitive or intransitive? It is transitive. And you say "the water increased," which is intransitive.
Estimation is not reality. Estimation is not what actually happens. A person may estimate something that is impossible. Allah estimated something impossible, saying:[Al-Anbya 21:22] This is impossible, but this is an estimation.
The Shaykh : If there is an extra preposition in a verse, say it is extra in terms of grammar. Some grammarians call it a connective letter, but there is no basis for that; rather, it is said to be an extra preposition grammatically. Among the expressions that may be used is: "It is extra, extra." What does "extra, extra" mean? Extra in wording, extra in meaning. The first "extra" is from the intransitive verb *zada* (to increase), and the second is from the transitive verb *zada*, because *zada* can be used as both intransitive and transitive. Allah said:
And those who are guided - He increases them
والذين اهتدوا زادهمEstimation is not reality. Estimation is not what actually happens. A person may estimate something that is impossible. Allah estimated something impossible, saying: