What is the linguistic miracle in the use of the letter (على - upon/on) instead of (فوق - above) and the word (جيوبهن - their bosoms/collars) instead of (صدورهن - their chests) in the noble verse: (And let them cast their head-coverings over their bosoms)?
In books of language, exegesis, and Quranic sciences, no explanation has been found for the linguistic miraculousness of using "ʿalā" (on/upon) instead of "fawqa" (above) in the verse.
It has been mentioned that "fawqa" in the Almighty's saying: (فَاضْرِبُوا فَوْقَ الْأَعْنَاقِ - then strike above the necks) means "ʿalā" (on/upon), and some interpret it to mean the heads.
If "fawqa" were used in the verse (وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ - and let them cast their headcovers over their bosoms), it might convey the meaning of covering what is above the opening of the chest, and not the chest itself.
Some exegetes, such as Al-Zamakhshari, interpreted "she cast her headcover over her bosom" to mean "she placed it upon it," just as "ʿalā" indicates comprehensiveness and encompassing.
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Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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