The Contrast Between the Passive Voice and the Active Voice: A Study in Surah At-Takwir

Abstract

Surah At-Takwir is one of the surahs in which the use of the passive voice is particularly prominent; it contains thirteen verbs (13) in the passive voice, depicting sudden scenes of the collapse of the cosmic order when the Hour comes. The verbs used are characterised by their connotations of movement and turmoil, and their sequential occurrence indicates the succession, speed and suddenness of events. In the order of the verses, they are: was rolled up, was shattered, was set in motion, was brought to a standstill, was gathered together, was set ablaze, was paired, was questioned, was destroyed, was spread out, was scraped away, was set alight, was brought near, was brought forth. As for the verbs in the known form, only eleven appear, namely: (I knew, she brought forth, I swear, he hesitated, he breathed, he saw him, you go, he willed, he straightens, you will, he wills);  The significance of this research stems from the fact that it touches upon the miraculous nature of the Qur’an; for the distinction between the two forms is not merely a grammatical construction or morphological variation, but rather an extremely precise expressive tool carrying profound connotations. In this study, we seek to elucidate the psychological context and the semantic impact of the passive voice.