Shafiq Walji
TH-554
Professor James Morris
10/28/2008
The Meccan Surahs:
Sura 70: The Stairway
Practice as Human Climbing
Surah 70 is constructed in a chiasmic structure, in which the there is a gradual ascent, culminated in a climax, and a gradual denouement, mirroring the original ascent.
(A)
V 1: Interrogatory Question of unknown opponent
V 2-4: Eschatological Response
(B)
V 5-7: Words of Solace, Exhortation to be Patient
(C)
V 8-14: Eschatological Prelude responding to Necessity of Patience
V 15-18: Eschatological Flashback showing Result of Impatience
(D)
V 19-22: 3rd-person Categorical Denunciation of Human Being’s Lower Nature
(C’)
V 23-34: Positive Diptych focused on Conduct – V 8-14
V 35-39: Lampoon – V 15-18
(B’)
V40-42: First-person Oath glorifying divine Wisdom – V 5-7
(A’)
V43-44: Eschatological Proceeding – V 1-4[1]
The Surah is introduced through the polemical question of an unknown individual, assumed to be an opponent as he challenges the Prophet’s warning or possibly a naïve believer asking, “What is the consequence of wrong action in this world?” The Eschatological Re ...