and to purify you a (thorough) purifying [8] .

and to purify you a (thorough) purifying [8] .” “Most surely it is an honoured Quran, in a Book that is hidden; None do touch it save the purified ones [9] . “ And the Prophet and the Imams from his progeny always used this second method for explaining the Quran, as may be seen in the traditions that have been narrated from them on exegesis, some of which will be quoted in this book in appropriate places.

One cannot find a single instance in their traditions where they might have taken the help of an academic theory or philosophical postulate for explaining a verse.

The Prophet has said in a sermon: “Therefore, when mischiefs come to confuse you like the segments of the darkened night, then hold fast to the Quran; as it is the intercessor whose intercession shall be granted; and a credible advocate; and whoever keeps it before him, it will lead him to the Garden; and whoever keeps it behind, it will drive him to the Fire, and it is the guide that guides to the best path; and it is a book in which there is an explanation, particularization, and recapitulation; and it is a decisive (world), and not a joke, and there is for it a manifest (meaning) and an esoteric (one); thus its apparent (meaning) is firm, and its esoteric (one) is knowledge; its exterior is elegant and its interior deep; it has (many) boundaries, and its boundaries have (many) boundaries; its wonders shall not cease, and its (unexpected marvels shall not be old.

There are in it the lamps of guidance and the beacon of wisdom and guide to knowledge for him who knows the attributes. Therefore, one should extend his sight; and should let his eyes reach the attribute; so that one who is in perdition may get deliverance, and one who is entangled may get free; because meditation is the life of the heart of the one who sees, as the one having a light (easily) walks in darkness; therefore, you must seek good deliverance and (that) with little waiting.

‘Ali (a.s.) said, inter alia, speaking about the Quran in a sermon: “Its one part speaks with the other, and one portion testifies about the other.” This is the straight path and the right way which was used by the true teachers of the Quran and its guides, may Allah’s blessings be on them all! We shall write, under various headings, what Allah has helped us to understand from the honoured verses, by the above-mentioned method.

We have not based the explanations on any philosophical theory, academic idea, or mystical revelation.