Is it true that the Qur’an depicts meanings and clarifies rulings in a question-and-answer format, even if there was no actual question?
The interrogative style in the Holy Quran varies and diversifies according to its rhetorical purpose, serving many aims, including: creating anticipation, affirmation, expressing wishes, signaling delay, emphasizing magnitude, glorification, reprimand, rebuke, expressing wonder, and negation.
However, regarding the Quran's portrayal of meanings through a question-and-answer style without an actual question being posed, we are unaware of any examples. Rather, existing examples show that a question has already occurred, and then the Quran provides its answer, such as in His (Allah's) saying: "They ask you about the new moons," and "They ask you what they should spend."
And if the intended meaning of the question-and-answer style is more general, encompassing dialogue, storytelling, and the striking of parables, then some scholars have indeed affirmed this, citing verses such as: "Have you not considered those who left their homes in thousands, fearing death? Then Allah said to them, 'Die,' and then He brought them back to life," and "And do not be like her who untwisted her spun thread after it had become strong," and "And present to them an example: two men, to one of whom We gave two gardens of grapevines." Some scholars have mentioned that these verses may be parables and not actual, real-life stories.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/111951