The Contrast in the Book of Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim by al-Amidi (d. 510 AH)

Abstract

Arabic rhetoric has been unable to touch modern artistic works as a result of the decline of rhetorical studies in the vocabulary of evidence and examples. This was a result of the tendency that distinguished Arabic rhetoric from other sciences. However، if we return to the rhetorical arts and look at them from a different perspective than what scholars have learned، we find that many of the rhetorical arts still carry secrets that rhetoricians have not yet discovered. The contrast in the book “Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim” is one of the rhetorical arts that carry many meanings. It is a method that consists of placing sentences or phrases opposite each other to clarify meanings in a deep way. This method is based on comparing words or concepts that are opposite or opposing in meaning. In the book “Ghurar al-Hikam wa Durar al-Kalim،” the art of contrast is used to show the difference between contradictory ideas and to confirm meanings by placing them in direct contrast to enhance the meaning and attract the reader’s attention. In the art of contrast، the method of comparing the idea and its opposite is highlighted