Rope usage: المَرّ, المَرِير
المَرّ (Al-Marr) was used to mean a rope (حَبْل - Habl). المَرِير (Al-Mareer) was used to refer to a long slender twisted rope.
ذُو مِرَّةٍ فَاسْتَوَىٰ
“The possessor of Mirrah. And he rose to [his] true form”.
The linguistic meaning(s) of مِرَّةٍ (Mirrah):
أَمَرَّ (Amarra)
أَمَرَّ is used to refer to skilfulness in tying something up i.e., it is completely well executed. It is used to express the meaning of doing an excellent job and finishing it to perfection. From this meaning when Jibreel (as) is described as ذُو مِرَّةٍ (Dhu Mirratin) it means that everything he does, he does it to perfection and sees it through to its end with excellence.
مَرَّ / مُرُور
In origin مِرَّةٍ (Mirrah) comes from the verb مَرَّ and verbal noun مُرُور which means to come and go (or to pass by or through). This meaning can be linked to the fact that Jibreel (as) has the power to come and go, travelling from the seventh heaven to earth and back again continuously delivering each part of revelation at its right time.
اِسْتَمَرَّ / اِسْتِمْرَار
اِسْتَمَرَّ (Istamarra) means for something to continue upon the same course or path i.e., the notion of continuity (اِسْتِمْرار - Istimraar). This meaning points to consistency and reliability in respect to Jibreel (as). That he is continuous in his relationship and connection to the Messenger ﷺ.
The meaning of مِرَّةٍ (Mirrah) from Tafsir sources:
Ibn ‘Abbas and Qatadah
“The possessor of a tall and beautiful creation (i.e., form)”. And it is said: “The possessor of a healthy body and free of any defects”.
Ar-Razi
- The first
- The possessor of power.
- The second
- The possessor of perfection in the mind (A’ql) and Deen.
- The third
- The possessor of a great sight and inspiring awe.
- The fourth
- The possessor of a beautiful character.
Al-Alousiy
Insight and intellect“It is like in the first (i.e., verse: شَدِيدُ الْقُوَىٰ) he is described with the power of action whilst this (ذُو مِرَّةٍ) describes him with the power of Nazhar (discernment or insight) and ‘Aql (mind or intellect). The Arabs used to call anyone who had a strong intellect and opinion: ذُو مِرَّةٍ “The possessor of Mirrah”. It (i.e., the word) is used in the statement أُمْرِرَتِ الحَبْلُ (Umrirat-il-Habl (rope)) when its (i.e., the ropes) threads are perfectly tied and twisted. That is because in origin it indicates to something that is done one time (المَرَّة - Al-Marrah) after another time (المَرَّة - Al-Marrah) which indicates to an increase in strength that is not heedless”.
Note: This understanding is being used to discuss the mind and how it is strengthened and made resilient.
Insight
Jibreel (as) was not just charged with the task of delivery but was also a teacher: عَلَّمَهُ شَدِيدُ الْقُوَىٰ “The one intense in great powers taught him”. This task of teaching requires a great level of intelligence: ذُو مِرَّةٍ “The possessor of Mirrah”. The Messenger ﷺ was both receiving the Qur’an and being taught it. Additionally, the use of Tanween ٍ in مِرَّةٍ (Mirratin) can linguistically indicate to the fact that this intellect is an “incredible” intellect.
فَاسْتَوَىٰ — “He rose or stood up”
Standing in true form
فَاسْتَوَىٰ means: He stood up straight upon his true (or original) form which Allah تَعَالَى created him upon, referring to Hiraa’ at the early stages of the Prophethood when he (the Prophet) ﷺ was before him.
HadithRecorded by Al-Imam Ahmad, ‘Abd bin Humaid and the Jama’ah, from Ibn Mas’ud: “Six hundred wings, each wing of which filled (or blocked) the horizon”.
Completion, not crookedness
اِسْتَوَى (Istawaa) therefore means here something levelling out and becoming complete in itself, like Ar-Raghib stated. This is the intended meaning of Istiqaamah (standing up straight) and not the opposite of crookedness.
Usage exampleاِسْتَوَى الثَّمَر (The fruit Istawaa) which means that it became ripe (i.e., according to the meaning of becoming complete in itself).
Visual cues mapped to meanings
Twisted band
Represents the rope imagery in the linguistic roots and the idea of perfected tying (أُمْرِرَتِ الحَبْلُ).
Dotted path
Represents مُرُور—coming and going—Jibreel’s travel in delivering revelation.
Dashed circle
Represents اِسْتِمْرَار—continuity, consistency and reliability.