AYAH OR AYATH

Ayah is related to Glorious Qur’an which is unique in its meaning. Ayah means a statement from the Qur’an but it can also mean proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, revelations, miracles of Allah (Glory be to Him). It does not mean the sentence of prose and poetry. It is a sign from Allah (Glory be to Him). It is often referred to as verse or verse by many but it should be referred as Ayah or Ayath. Ayath or ayah referred to a single statement and Aayaath referred to many statements of the Qur’an. ^[1]

Quranic reflections

And We did not give Prophet Muhammad, knowledge of poetry, nor is it befitting for him. It is not but a message and a clear Qur'an. Qur’an.surah Yaseen 36:69 ^[2]

Types of ayah

Allah said in the Qur'an.Surah Ale Imran 3:7 : Allah is the One Who has sent down to the Prophet the Book that containsmuhkamat ayah, which are the foundation of the Book, and otherayahwhich aremutashabihat. So, know firmly, that the Qur'an contains two types of ayah.

Mohkamaat:

Mohkamaat are those ayaat of the Qur’an which are synonym to Wazihaat i.e., clear cut meaning of the word.

Mutashaabihaat:

Mutashaabihaat are those ayaat of the Qur’an which can’t be understood by common people unless it is being explained or clarified by Allah (Glory be to Him) and His Prophet Muhammad (May Allah honor Him and grant Him peace). ^[3]

Ayah can’t be called as verse

Qur’an is not poetry, as some of the ignorant disbelievers of the Quraysh claimed; neither is it sorcery, a fabrication or a magic spell, as the misguided and ignorant people variously suggested. The Prophet was naturally disinclined to compose verse, and was forbidden to do so by Divine Law. ^[4]

Verse in English language means Single metrical line in a poetic composition; one line of poetry. A division of a metrical composition, such as a stanza of a poem or hymn. ^{[5] [6]}

References

[1] Arabic dictionary of Qamoos Saqral Jadeed

[2] http://quran.com/36/69

[3] http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=563&Itemid=46

[4] http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1478&Itemid=92

[5] http://www.answers.com/topic/verse

[6] http://www.thefreedictionary.com/verse