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BMEB Alim Examination study materials
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BMEB Alim Examination practice questions

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Question 1Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

How many letters are there in the Arabic alphabet used for Qur'anic recitation?

  1. 28 Correct answer.
  2. 29
  3. 26
  4. 30

Explanation

The Arabic alphabet consists of 28 letters, from alif to ya. All Qur'anic recitation and tajwid rules are built on these 28 letters, and their articulation points are classified into five general areas of the mouth and throat.

Question 2Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

Which of the following pairs are both among the letters pronounced from the throat (al-huruf al-halqiyyah)?

  1. Lam and Ra
  2. Hamza and Ha Correct answer.
  3. Ba and Mim
  4. Sin and Sad

Explanation

The throat letters are six: hamza, ha, 'ayn, ha (with a dot below in some traditions), ghayn, and kha. They are produced from the three levels of the throat, so hamza and ha both belong to this group.

Question 3Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

What is the name of the rule applied when a noon sakinah or tanween is followed by one of the letters ya, ra, mim, lam, waw, or noon?

  1. Ikhfa
  2. Iqlab
  3. Izhar
  4. Idgham Correct answer.

Explanation

Idgham means merging the noon sakinah or tanween into the following letter so that the noon sound disappears. The six letters that trigger it are collected in the phrase 'yarmalun', and the merger may be with or without nasalization.

Question 4Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

When a noon sakinah or tanween is followed by the letter ba, what happens to the noon sound?

  1. It is converted into meem Correct answer.
  2. It is fully merged without nasalization
  3. It is clearly pronounced
  4. It is lengthened two counts

Explanation

This rule is called iqlab: the noon sakinah or tanween changes into a meem sound before ba, accompanied by nasalization of about two counts. Reciters indicate it in written texts with a small meem above the noon.

Question 5Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

A reciter prolongs a madd letter for two counts and then stops because of a hamza in the same word. Which type of madd is this?

  1. Madd muttasil Correct answer.
  2. Madd badal
  3. Madd 'arid lil-sukun
  4. Madd lazim

Explanation

Madd muttasil occurs when the madd letter and the hamza that causes the prolongation are in the same word. It is obligatory to lengthen it four or five counts, and all reciters agree on the lengthening.

Question 6Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

Which of the following describes qalqalah?

  1. The merging of two identical letters
  2. A vibration of the tongue at the back of the mouth
  3. An echoing bounce on five specific letters when they carry sukun Correct answer.
  4. A nasal hum lasting two counts

Explanation

Qalqalah is a bouncing echo produced when one of the letters qaf, ta, ba, jim, or dal carries a sukun. The five letters are gathered in the phrase 'qutub jad', and the effect is stronger at the end of a verse.

Question 7Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

Which letters are the letters of qalqalah?

  1. Lam, ra, nun, mim, waw
  2. Qaf, ta, ba, jim, dal Correct answer.
  3. Ha, kha, 'ayn, ghayn, hamza
  4. Sad, sin, zay, ta, zha

Explanation

The five qalqalah letters are qaf, ta, ba, jim, and dal, remembered by the phrase 'qutub jad'. When any of them carries a sukun, the reciter produces a light echoing bounce.

Question 8Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

How many counts of nasalization are normally observed for ghunnah when a noon or meem is doubled?

  1. One count
  2. Six counts
  3. Two counts Correct answer.
  4. Four counts

Explanation

Ghunnah is the nasal sound produced through the nose, and its standard duration is two counts when a noon or meem is doubled. Some reciters extend it slightly in specific contexts, but two counts is the baseline taught in tajwid.

Question 9Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

What is the ruling on reciting the basmalah at the start of a surah other than Surah Al-Fatihah?

  1. It is forbidden
  2. It is recommended Correct answer.
  3. It is disliked
  4. It is obligatory

Explanation

Scholars generally hold that beginning a new surah with 'Bismillah' is recommended, following the practice of the Prophet and the written copies of the Qur'an. It is not obligatory, and recitation remains valid without it.

Question 10Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

In the phrase 'min ba'd' the noon is followed by ba. Which rule applies to the noon sakinah here?

  1. Idgham
  2. Iqlab Correct answer.
  3. Izhar
  4. Ikhfa

Explanation

When noon sakinah is followed by ba, the noon is converted into meem with nasalization, which is iqlab. This is a clear application of the rule to a common phrase in the Qur'an.

Question 11Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

Which of the following best describes the articulation point of the letter 'ayn?

  1. The middle of the throat Correct answer.
  2. Between the lips
  3. The tip of the tongue
  4. The back of the mouth

Explanation

The throat has three articulation levels, and 'ayn is produced from the middle level along with ha. The deepest level produces hamza and ha, while the closest level produces ghayn and kha.

Question 12Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

What is the term for the prolonged vowel sound that follows a matching short vowel?

  1. Sukun
  2. Madd Correct answer.
  3. Tanween
  4. Shaddah

Explanation

Madd literally means extension, and it refers to lengthening a vowel sound using the letters alif, waw, or ya. The length is measured in counts, ranging from two counts for natural madd up to six in certain cases.

Question 13Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

When a reciter stops on the final letter of a word ending in a fathah followed by an alif, what happens to the alif?

  1. It is dropped in pronunciation Correct answer.
  2. It becomes a hamza
  3. It is pronounced as a clear alif
  4. It is replaced by a ya

Explanation

When stopping on a word whose final letter is an alif of prolongation, the alif is omitted in pronunciation and the preceding vowel is held. This is a standard rule of waqf, allowing the reciter to end the word smoothly.

Question 14Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

Which of the following is a madd lazim?

  1. A madd letter followed by a shaddah
  2. A madd letter at the end of a verse
  3. A madd letter followed by a hamza in the same word
  4. A madd letter followed by a letter with sukun in the same word Correct answer.

Explanation

Madd lazim occurs when a madd letter is followed by a letter carrying a permanent sukun in the same word. It is lengthened six counts, which is the longest standard madd, and it is obligatory in recitation.

Question 15Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

Which letters are known as the letters of ikhfa, before which noon sakinah is concealed?

  1. Six letters including ya and ra
  2. Four letters of the throat
  3. Only the letter ba
  4. Fifteen letters remaining after the other noon rules Correct answer.

Explanation

Ikhfa applies before fifteen letters, which are the letters of the alphabet excluding the six idgham letters, the six throat letters of izhar, and ba. The noon is concealed with nasalization when it precedes any of these.

Question 16Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

What is the difference between idgham with ghunnah and idgham without ghunnah?

  1. The former is nasalized while the latter is not Correct answer.
  2. The former is optional for the reciter
  3. The former applies only at verse endings
  4. The former is longer than six counts

Explanation

Idgham with ghunnah occurs before the letters ya, nun, mim, and waw, where the merged sound retains a nasal hum. Before lam and ra, the merger is complete without nasalization, so the two types differ in the presence of ghunnah.

Question 17Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

Which of the following letters is a letter of isti'la, pronounced with the back of the tongue raised?

  1. Ba
  2. Sin
  3. Fa
  4. Kha Correct answer.

Explanation

The letters of isti'la are seven, gathered in the phrase 'khussat dha'z', and kha is one of them. They are pronounced with the back of the tongue raised toward the roof of the mouth, giving a heavy quality.

Question 18Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

In the word 'al-rahman', the reciter applies a rule to the letter ra because it carries a fathah. What quality does ra have in this position?

  1. Whistled
  2. Nasalized
  3. Heavy (tafkhim) Correct answer.
  4. Light (tarqiq)

Explanation

When ra carries a fathah or a damma, it is pronounced heavily, with the back of the tongue raised. It is pronounced lightly when it carries a kasrah or when it is followed by a kasrah in certain conditions.

Question 19Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

What is the ruling on the sajdah verse (verse of prostration) when a reciter encounters it during recitation?

  1. It requires repeating the verse
  2. It is recommended to prostrate upon reciting it Correct answer.
  3. It is obligatory to prostrate immediately
  4. It is forbidden to prostrate

Explanation

When a reciter reaches a verse of prostration, it is recommended to perform a prostration, following the practice of the Prophet. It is not obligatory, and the recitation remains valid without it.

Question 20Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

Which of the following describes the rule of 'tafkhim'?

  1. Merging two letters into one
  2. Pronouncing a letter heavily with the back of the tongue raised Correct answer.
  3. Pronouncing a letter with a nasal hum
  4. Lengthening a vowel for six counts

Explanation

Tafkhim is the heavy pronunciation of a letter, achieved by raising the back of the tongue toward the roof of the mouth. It contrasts with tarqiq, the light pronunciation, and applies to the seven elevated letters and to ra and lam in specific contexts.

Question 21Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

Which of the following is a correct description of the madd 'arid lil-sukun?

  1. It occurs when a sukun is fixed on the following letter
  2. It occurs when the reciter stops on the final letter of a word Correct answer.
  3. It occurs when a hamza follows the madd letter in the same word
  4. It occurs when a madd letter is at the beginning of a word

Explanation

Madd 'arid lil-sukun occurs when the reciter pauses on the last letter of a word containing a madd letter before it. The length is optional, commonly two, four, or six counts, depending on the recitation style.

Question 22Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

A reciter encounters the word 'an'amta' where the noon is followed by fa. Which rule applies to the noon sakinah?

  1. Ikhfa Correct answer.
  2. Idgham
  3. Iqlab
  4. Izhar

Explanation

When noon sakinah is followed by fa, the noon is concealed with nasalization, which is ikhfa. Fa is among the fifteen letters of ikhfa, so the noon sound is neither fully pronounced nor fully merged.

Question 23Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

Which of the following statements about the 'madd badal' is correct?

  1. It is lengthened two counts Correct answer.
  2. It is caused by a sukun after the madd letter
  3. It occurs only at verse endings
  4. It is lengthened six counts obligatorily

Explanation

Madd badal occurs when a hamza precedes the madd letter, as in 'aamana', and it is lengthened two counts. The name reflects that the hamza is substituted for the original madd letter in some forms.

Question 24Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

Which of the following best explains why the letters of qalqalah are described as 'majhurah'?

  1. They are pronounced only when stopping
  2. They are always pronounced with nasalization
  3. They are pronounced with a strong echo because of their voiced quality Correct answer.
  4. They are pronounced only when starting

Explanation

The qalqalah letters are voiced, so the vocal cords vibrate during their pronunciation, which supports the echoing bounce when they carry a sukun. Voicing contributes to the distinctive resonance of the qalqalah.

Question 25Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

Which of the following is the correct description of 'waqf' in Qur'anic recitation?

  1. Pausing at a word boundary to breathe and resume Correct answer.
  2. Raising the voice during recitation
  3. Repeating a verse for memorization
  4. Writing the verse with diacritics

Explanation

Waqf is the practice of pausing at a word boundary, usually to take a breath, before continuing the recitation. The rules of waqf determine where a pause is permissible, preferable, or forbidden, based on the meaning of the text.

Question 26Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

How many letters of the Arabic alphabet are articulated from the throat (al-halq)?

  1. Two
  2. Ten
  3. Six Correct answer.
  4. Four

Explanation

The throat contains three articulation points that together produce six letters: the deepest part gives hamzah and ha, the middle gives 'ayn and ha (the pharyngeal), and the closest part gives ghayn and kha. These six are collectively called the letters of al-halq.

Question 27Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

A reciter reads the word 'qul a'udhu' and joins the two words without pausing. Which ruling applies to the laam at the end of 'qul'?

  1. It is recited with ghunnah
  2. It remains clearly pronounced with no added rule Correct answer.
  3. It is merged into the following hamzah
  4. It is recited with qalqalah

Explanation

The laam at the end of 'qul' is a laam sakinah followed by a hamzah, which is not one of the letters that cause idgham or ikhfa for the laam. It is therefore pronounced clearly (izhar) with its normal quality and no nasalization or echo.

Question 28Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

Which of the following pairs of letters are both pronounced with the tongue tip touching the roots of the upper front teeth?

  1. Hamzah and ha
  2. Ba and meem
  3. Qaf and kaf
  4. Ta and dal Correct answer.

Explanation

Ta and dal share an articulation point at the tip of the tongue against the roots of the upper incisors, together with taa. These letters are described as being produced from the tongue tip and the upper teeth roots.

Question 29Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

A reciter is memorizing a page and reaches a verse ending in 'alamin'. Which feature marks this word as a suitable place to pause?

  1. It contains a madd lazim
  2. It ends with a noon, which must always be merged
  3. It is the end of a complete verse Correct answer.
  4. It begins with a definite article

Explanation

The ends of verses are established stopping places (waqf) in the mushaf, marked by the verse number. Stopping there is recommended because it completes the sense of the passage and follows the prophetic practice of pausing at verse endings.

Question 30Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

In the phrase 'wa ma hum bi-mu'minin', the meem at the end of 'hum' is followed by ba. What happens to that meem?

  1. It is pronounced clearly with no nasalization
  2. It is concealed with ghunnah Correct answer.
  3. It is merged into the ba
  4. It is turned into a noon

Explanation

A meem sakinah followed by ba takes ikhfa shafawi, meaning the meem is concealed with a light nasalization lasting about two counts. This rule is specific to the meem and ba pairing and is called concealment of the lips.

Question 31Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

Which of the following best describes the ruling of 'iqlab'?

  1. A madd letter is lengthened beyond its normal count
  2. A noon sakinah is pronounced clearly before throat letters
  3. A noon sakinah is changed into a meem when followed by ba Correct answer.
  4. A meem sakinah is merged into a following meem

Explanation

Iqlab occurs when a noon sakinah or tanween is followed by the letter ba. The noon is converted into a meem sound with ghunnah of about two counts, and the lips close lightly to prepare for the ba.

Question 32Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

A reciter stops on the word 'al-muflihoon' at the end of a verse. Which madd applies to the waw before the final noon?

  1. Madd 'arid lil-sukun Correct answer.
  2. Madd lazim
  3. Madd tabi'i
  4. Madd badal

Explanation

When a reciter pauses on a word whose final letter carries a temporary sukun, a madd letter preceding that letter takes madd 'arid lil-sukun. Its length may be two, four or six counts, and the reciter keeps one consistent length throughout.

Question 33Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

Which of the following statements about the 'madd silah' is accurate?

  1. It is a type of qalqalah
  2. It concerns the ha of the feminine third-person pronoun between two voweled letters Correct answer.
  3. It applies only to the letter alif
  4. It replaces the ghunnah of the meem

Explanation

Madd silah concerns the small ha in the third-person pronoun when it falls between two voweled letters, such as 'bihi' or 'lahu'. It is lengthened two counts, and if a hamzah follows, it becomes madd silah kubra of four or five counts.

Question 34Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

A student recites 'khalaqa' and gives the qaf a strong echoing bounce. Which two qualities combine to produce this effect?

  1. Safir and takrir
  2. Isti'la and itbaq
  3. Jahr and shiddah Correct answer.
  4. Hams and rakhawah

Explanation

Qalqalah arises from the combination of jahr, meaning the breath is withheld, and shiddah, meaning the sound is strongly held at the articulation point. When the letter is sakinah, the sound is released with a slight echo rather than flowing smoothly.

Question 35Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

Which of the following describes the correct handling of the letter ra when it carries a kasrah and no shaddah?

  1. It is pronounced with tarqiq Correct answer.
  2. It is always pronounced with tafkhim
  3. It is silent
  4. It is pronounced with qalqalah

Explanation

When ra carries a kasrah, it is pronounced lightly (tarqiq) because the kasrah draws the tongue downward and forward. The exception is when the ra is followed by a letter of isti'la in the same word, in which case it may be heavy.

Question 36Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

In the word 'al-dallin', the laam of the definite article is followed by dal. Which ruling applies?

  1. The laam is concealed with ghunnah
  2. The laam is pronounced clearly
  3. The laam is turned into a dal
  4. The laam is merged without ghunnah Correct answer.

Explanation

The laam of the definite article is merged into a following sun letter, and dal is one of the sun letters. Because dal is not a letter of ghunnah, the merging is idgham without nasalization, so the laam is not heard separately.

Question 37Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

Which of the following best explains why the madd in 'ja'a' is classified as madd munfasil?

  1. The madd letter carries a permanent sukun
  2. The hamzah precedes the madd letter in the same word
  3. The hamzah follows the madd letter in a separate word Correct answer.
  4. The madd letter is followed by a shaddah

Explanation

Madd munfasil occurs when a madd letter ends a word and a hamzah begins the next word, so the two are separated in writing. When the reciter joins the words, the madd is lengthened four or five counts, and when stopping on the first word it returns to two.

Question 38Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

Which of the following is a recognized sign used in the mushaf to indicate that continuing the recitation is better than stopping?

  1. The letter sad
  2. The letter meem
  3. The letter jeem Correct answer.
  4. The letter qaf

Explanation

The waqf signs in the mushaf include letters such as jeem for permissible stopping, sad for a preferred stop, and qaf for a stop that is better than continuing. The jeem indicates that stopping is allowed but continuing is preferable.

Question 39Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

Which of the following practices best supports long-term memorization of the Qur'an?

  1. Memorizing without understanding the meanings
  2. Memorizing large new portions while skipping review
  3. Relying only on listening without reciting aloud
  4. Reviewing recently memorized portions daily before adding new material Correct answer.

Explanation

Consistent daily review of the most recent portion, often called the 'near' revision, prevents forgetting while new material is added. Reciters traditionally divide the Qur'an into daily portions and cycle through them so that older material is also revisited regularly.

Question 40Qur'an: Recitation, Tajwid, and Memorization

A reciter joins 'inna' with 'al-laha' in a phrase where the noon of 'inna' is followed by the laam of the next word. Which ruling applies to the noon?

  1. Idgham with ghunnah
  2. Ikhfa
  3. Izhar Correct answer.
  4. Iqlab

Explanation

The letters that cause idgham for the noon sakinah are limited to ya, ra, meem, laam, waw and noon. Since laam is among them, one might expect merging, but with the noon of emphasis the reciter must pronounce it clearly and not merge it, so izhar applies here.

Question 41Qur'an: Translation, Tafsir, and Sciences of the Qur'an

Which surah is traditionally described as the 'Mother of the Book' (Umm al-Kitab) and is recited in every unit of the ritual prayer?

  1. Al-Fatihah Correct answer.
  2. Al-Kahf
  3. Al-Ikhlas
  4. Al-Baqarah

Explanation

Al-Fatihah, the opening surah of seven verses, is recited in each rak'ah of the ritual prayer and is widely known by the honorific Umm al-Kitab or Umm al-Qur'an. Its placement at the head of the codex and its liturgical role explain this title.

Question 42Qur'an: Translation, Tafsir, and Sciences of the Qur'an

How many surahs does the Qur'an contain?

  1. 120
  2. 114 Correct answer.
  3. 110
  4. 112

Explanation

The Qur'an is divided into 114 surahs, beginning with Al-Fatihah and ending with An-Nas. This number is fixed by consensus and is not a matter of variant recitation.

Question 43Qur'an: Translation, Tafsir, and Sciences of the Qur'an

In the standard transmission attributed to Hafs, how many verses (ayat) does the Qur'an contain in total?

  1. 6,666
  2. 6,236 Correct answer.
  3. 6,000
  4. 7,236

Explanation

The Hafs transmission counts 6,236 verses, though other transmission counts differ slightly because verse divisions were transmitted rather than logically derived. The figure is a matter of riwayah, not of textual content.

Question 44Qur'an: Translation, Tafsir, and Sciences of the Qur'an

A surah that begins with the disjointed letters 'Alif Lam Mim' is best described by which term?

  1. Al-huruf al-muqatta'ah Correct answer.
  2. Asbab al-nuzul
  3. Al-nasikh wa al-mansukh
  4. Al-mutashabihat

Explanation

The disconnected letters appearing at the start of certain surahs are called al-huruf al-muqatta'ah, meaning 'cut-off letters' because each is pronounced separately. Their precise meaning is classically placed among the matters known only to God.

Question 45Qur'an: Translation, Tafsir, and Sciences of the Qur'an

The term 'makki' in Qur'anic sciences most precisely refers to a surah revealed in which circumstance?

  1. Any surah revealed before the emigration to Madinah Correct answer.
  2. Any surah revealed during the farewell pilgrimage
  3. Any surah revealed after the emigration to Madinah
  4. Any surah revealed on the night of decree

Explanation

Classical scholars define makki material by its revelation before the Prophet's emigration to Madinah, and madani by revelation after it, regardless of the geographic location at the moment of revelation. This chronological criterion is preferred over a purely geographical one.

Question 46Qur'an: Translation, Tafsir, and Sciences of the Qur'an

Which feature is characteristic of many makki surahs when compared with madani surahs?

  1. Detailed legal penalties and inheritance shares
  2. Systematic rules for state taxation
  3. Extensive treaties with neighboring communities
  4. Emphasis on creed, resurrection, and short rhythmic verses Correct answer.

Explanation

Makki surahs typically stress divine oneness, prophecy, and the hereafter, using short, forceful, rhythmic verses addressed to a skeptical audience. Detailed communal legislation appears more often in the Madinan period, after a community had formed.

Question 47Qur'an: Translation, Tafsir, and Sciences of the Qur'an

The science of 'asbab al-nuzul' is best defined as the study of what?

  1. The chain of transmitters of the codex
  2. The occasions and circumstances that prompted particular revelations Correct answer.
  3. The grammatical parsing of difficult words
  4. The variant readings of the Qur'anic text

Explanation

Asbab al-nuzul records the events, questions, or situations that occasioned the revelation of specific verses. Knowing the occasion helps fix the referent of a verse and prevents misapplying a general wording to the wrong case.

Question 48Qur'an: Translation, Tafsir, and Sciences of the Qur'an

A verse was revealed rebuking a specific person, but its wording is general. According to the principle attributed to scholars of usul, the ruling is applied how?

  1. To the general wording, with the specific occasion clarifying the reason Correct answer.
  2. Not at all, since occasions restrict application
  3. Only to the specific person named in the occasion
  4. Only to the Companions present at the time

Explanation

The established principle holds that consideration is given to the generality of the wording rather than the specificity of the occasion, while the occasion explains the reason for revelation. Thus the verse's ruling extends beyond the immediate incident.

Question 49Qur'an: Translation, Tafsir, and Sciences of the Qur'an

Which of the following is the standard term for the abrogation of one Qur'anic ruling by a later one?

  1. Tafsir
  2. Tajwid
  3. Naskh Correct answer.
  4. I'jaz

Explanation

Naskh denotes the replacement of an earlier ruling by a later one, and it is discussed under the sciences of the Qur'an with strict conditions. Claiming abrogation requires evidence of chronology and a genuine conflict between rulings.

Question 50Qur'an: Translation, Tafsir, and Sciences of the Qur'an

Which condition is required before a claim of abrogation (naskh) between two verses can be accepted?

  1. There must be a genuine conflict and evidence that one is later Correct answer.
  2. The earlier verse must be shorter than the later one
  3. The two verses must share an identical rhyme ending
  4. The two verses must appear in the same surah

Explanation

Scholars require a real contradiction that cannot be reconciled, plus reliable evidence of chronological priority, before abrogation may be asserted. Without both, the verses are harmonized rather than one being set aside.