Iqtibas (quoting the Qur'an or hadith in speech)

اقتباس

Iqtibas means taking a spark from a fire, and in the terminology of the rhetoricians it is weaving a piece of the Qur'an or hadith into one's own speech, in verse or prose, so that it is not presented as a quotation. It has two kinds: one where the borrowed words keep their original meaning, and one where they are turned to a new sense. Most jurists allow it in general when it serves lawful purposes and beautifies speech, but not in corrupt speech such as that of innovators or the profane. The Malikis are known for forbidding it, especially in poetry, and some allow it in prose. Al-Suyuti, citing Ibn Hijja, divides it into accepted, permitted and rejected kinds. 1 2 3

Depth

At a glance

Era
The Early Abbasid Caliphate
Region
Global / Diaspora
Review
Draft Completeness 1/5 · Help complete it

Definition

Iqtibas is weaving a piece of the Qur'an or hadith into one's own speech so that it is not presented as a quotation. 1

Kinds

It is either where the borrowed words keep their meaning or where they are turned to a new sense. 1

Ruling

Most jurists allow it in general for lawful purposes, but not in corrupt speech. The Malikis are known for forbidding it and some distinguish verse from prose. 2

Al-Suyuti's division

Al-Suyuti, citing Ibn Hijja, gives three kinds: accepted in sermons, admonitions and covenants; permitted in love poetry, letters and tales; and rejected. 3

Sources

  1. al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya, Noor-Book copy (file named v3) , p.3155
  2. al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya, Noor-Book copy (file named v3) , p.3156
  3. al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya, Noor-Book copy (file named v3) , p.3157
Cite this page

islam.museum contributors. “Iqtibas (quoting the Qur'an or hadith in speech)”. islam.museum, https://islam.museum/en/concept/iqtibas/. CC BY-SA 4.0. Last updated 2026-10-23.

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