Elements of Simile
This section elaborates on the elements of simile:
The Simile Subject
The simile subject refers to the entity being described, focusing on a particular characteristic, such as strength, beauty, or ugliness.
Here are some illustrative examples:
- The girl is like a lamp in her beauty.
In this instance, the simile subject is the girl, and the intention behind this comparison is to emphasize the girl’s exceptional beauty.
- Mohamed is like a lion in bravery.
Here, the simile subject is Mohamed, and the purpose of the simile is to highlight the extent of his courage.
- The teacher is like a mother in her affection and care for her students.
In this case, the simile subject refers to the teacher, illustrating her nurturing and compassionate nature.
- The garden shines like the sun.
Here, the garden serves as the simile subject, aiming to convey the intensity of its brightness.
The Simile Object
The simile object is that which the simile subject is likened to, sharing the same characteristic with the subject.
Examples include:
- My sister’s hair looks like the night.
The simile object here is the night, as both the simile subject and object share a common quality.
- Your presence is like splendor in brightness.
In this case, the simile object is splendor, with both parties sharing the same characteristic.
- Her eyes shine like stars.
In this example, the simile object is stars, highlighting the shared quality of brightness between them.
Common Characteristic
The common characteristic refers to the shared trait between the simile subject and the simile object.
Examples include:
- You are like a star in elevation and radiance.
The common characteristic here between the two is elevation and radiance.
- God Almighty states: “The example of those who spend their money in the way of Allah is like a seed that produces seven ears; in every ear is a hundred grains.”
In this verse, Allah compares the reward of those who give charity for His sake to a seed that yields numerous grains, with the common characteristic being multiplication.
Simile Tools
The tools of simile serve to connect the simile subject and object, which can be a letter, a noun, or a verb, as follows:
- Letter
The letter “kaf”, as in “like”, or “ka’ann”.
- Noun
Words like “mithl”, “shabah”, “nadhir”.
- Verb
Words such as “yuhaaki”, “yushabiha”, “yumathilu”.
Examples include:
- Mohamed is like a lion in his bravery.
Here, the tool is “kaf,” which connects the simile subject and object.
- The girl is as though she were the moon in beauty.
The tool here is “ka’ann,” connecting the two parts of the simile.
Examples of Simile
Below are additional examples of similes:
- Allah Most High states: “The example of those who disbelieve in their Lord are like ashes that the wind blows away on a stormy day; they cannot retain anything from what they have earned. That is the far misguided.”
- Allah Most High says: “And the example of those who spend their wealth seeking the pleasure of Allah and strengthening their own hearts is like a garden on a high ground that is struck by heavy rain, producing double its yield; if it does not receive heavy rain, then a light shower. And Allah sees what you do.”
- The occupier is like a rock in hardness.
- The wise man’s opinion is like a scale in precision.
- Knowledge is like light in guidance.
- The discourse of the literate is as sweet as honey.
- His statement: “The example of those who take allies besides Allah is like a spider that builds a house; and indeed, the weakest of houses is the house of the spider, if they only knew.”