balagh

Balagh is an Arabic term with multiple related meanings in language, religion, and literary tradition. Derived from the root بلغ (balagha), it conveys ideas of reaching, delivering, or attaining. As a noun, balagh can refer to a message conveyed, the act of delivering communication, or a level of maturity depending on the context.

Etymology and forms: The root بلغ gives rise to balagh (the act or result of reaching or delivering), baligh (adult or mature), and related forms. In everyday use, balagh often denotes the act of conveying information so that it reaches an audience, as well as the point at which a person has attained adulthood.

Religious usage: In Islamic discourse, balagh denotes the communication of guidance or divine message by prophets to their audiences. It emphasizes the duty to convey the message accurately and clearly, and the expectation that the audience receives and understands it. The concept is closely related to da’wah (invitation) and risalah (prophethood), with verses in the Qur’an and hadith often framed in terms of delivering a message that has reached its recipients.

Rhetorical and literary usage: In classical Arabic rhetoric, balagh refers to the science of eloquence and effective expression. The field is commonly divided into three branches: bayan (the clear expression of meaning and use of imagery and figures of speech), ma’ani (the study of meaning and linguistic relationships), and badī’ (ornamental invention and stylistic innovation). Scholars analyze how language affects perception, employing rhetoric, metaphor, rhythm, and stylistic devices to achieve persuasiveness and beauty.

Other uses: Balagh can denote puberty or adulthood, with baligh describing a person who has reached that stage. In modern contexts, the term also appears in names and titles, though its primary senses remain linguistic, religious, and literary.