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Reflecting on the Writing Experience: The Concept of "Rhetorical Reduction" and Its Relation to Omission and Condensation

Introduction:
It is undeniable that concepts generally emerge from one another, forming specific relationships and sharing parts of their meanings before a new concept takes shape independently through semantic boundaries and linguistic applications. For instance, metaphor is derived from the concept of simile and is often described as a simile with one of its terms omitted. This conceptual dependency has historically followed metaphor, only being shed in modern rhetorical studies. Similarly, we can measure the concept of "counterpoint" as it relates to the concept of "antithesis," among many other concepts.
Through this interconnectedness among concepts, the idea of "rhetorical reduction" arose during my work on the book "The Secret of the Nominal Sentence," which fundamentally advocates for the elimination of a third of the Arabic language in writing texts, meaning the exclusion of verbs and verbal nouns in literary text construction, particularly in poetry, more so than in prose. This is due to considerations of condensation and the nature of poetry, which is characterized by high tension accompanied by omission, as I mentioned in the book.
Thus, I believe that the concept of "rhetorical reduction" emerging from this research process relates to the concept of omission; however, it is more than just elimination. It also connects to the idea of condensation, although it is not merely condensation either. It is a deeper concept than both, carrying a meaning that has formed in my mind and which I will attempt to explain in the following lines.
**First: The Concept of Omission**
Here, we speak of "rhetorical omission," which has many forms in the Arabic language, appearing at the level of the word and the sentence. According to linguistic rules, any change in structure results in a change in meaning; thus, if a letter is omitted, this omission is interpreted rhetorically, as seen in the interpretation of omissions in the Quran, where interpreters and grammarians regard these omissions as carrying rhetorical significance connected to the context in which they appear.
For example, if we examine the omissions in Surah Al-Kahf, we find that they carry rhetorical significance. This surah exhibits various forms of omission, such as omitting a letter in one context while confirming it in another context within the same surah. For instance, Allah Almighty says, "فما استطاعوا أن يظهروه وما استطاعوا له نقبا" (They were unable to reveal it, nor could they make a hole). The verse uses the same verb, once omitting the 'ta' from 'استطاعوا' and once affirming it. This has significant interpretation amongst Quranic rhetoric scholars; the difficulty of "nukb" (making a hole) compared to "to show" necessitated the letter's affirmation, perhaps indicating its intended meaning. Furthermore, omitting the letter impacts the musical rhythm of the verse, which would be affected if the letter were to be included in the context from which it was omitted. The elevated Quranic rhetoric interrelates various reasons that contribute to its distinctive "poetics," which I have previously discussed in a different context in my book "The Rhetoric of Poetic Craft."
Moreover, Surah Al-Kahf contains more than ten instances of rhetorical omission where letters or words are dropped, and each time there is evidence for this omission, either structural evidence derived from the morphological composition of the word, as in "استطاعوا" versus "استطاعوا," or based on parallelism within the sentence, where a name or verb is omitted because its presence has been asserted earlier in the text. The Arabs favor avoiding unnecessary repetition; for instance, in Surah Al-Kahf, the omission of "distinction" after the number in the verse "وازدادوا تسعا" (and they increased by nine) follows its mention in the first part of the verse "ولبثوا في كهفهم ثلاث مائة سنين." It is commonly understood that they increased by nine years, hence the omission carries significant rhetorical and contextual importance.
A noteworthy rhetorical omission occurs in verse 72: "قال ألم أقل إنك لن تستطيع معي صبرا" (He said, "Did I not say that you would not be able to have patience with me?") after Moses's initial objection to the boat's breach. In the following verse, 75, Allah says: "قال ألم أقل لك إنك لن تستطيع معي صبرا" (He said, "Did I not say to you that you would not be able to have patience with me?"). Here, the in-depth strategy of omitting "لك" (to you) in the first instance reflects politeness towards Moses. However, when Moses repeats the objection and cannot be patient, the phrase "لك" is reinserted as a reminder, amplifying the admonition that Moses indeed breached the agreement again.
Firas Haj Muhammad
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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