." The word al-abtar ( = translated here as "incomplete")...

." The word al-abtar ( = translated here as "incomplete") means a thing whose end is cut off, an animal whose tail is severed. The preposition "bi” ( = in, with), in the phrase "In the name of Allâh", is related to an implied verb, "I begin". This verse, at this particular place, begins the speech which is a single action; this singleness comes from the singleness of its meaning; that is, the meaning intended to be conveyed, the aim and purpose of the speech.

Allâh has mentioned the purpose for which His speech -the whole Qur’ân - has been revealed: . . . indeed, there has come to you a light and a clear Book from Allâh; with it Allâh guides him who follows His pleasure into the ways of safety. . . (5 :15 -16). There are other verses which show that the aim with which the Book - the speech of Allâh - has been sent down is the guidance of the people.

Therefore, the full import of the sentence would be as follows: The guidance, total guidance is begun with the name of Allâh, the Beneficent, the Merciful; He is Allâh, Whom the servants return to; He is Beneficent, Who has opened the way of His All-encompassing mercy for believers and disbelievers alike, the mercy which provides them with all that is necessary and good for their existence and life; He is Merciful, Who has reserved His special mercy for the believers, the mercy which ensures their happiness in the life hereafter and their nearness to their Lord.

Allâh has said: . . . and My mercy encompasses all things; so I will ordain it (specially) for those who guard (against evil) and pay zakât, and those who believe in our signs (7 :156) . This explanation has been written, putting this verse in the framework of the whole Qur’ân, of which it is the first sentence. Again, Allâh has repeatedly mentioned "chapter" in His speech. For example: Say: "Then bring a chapter like this. . . " (10:38) ; Say: "Then bring ten chapters like it, forged. . .

" (11:13); And whenever a chapter is revealed. . . (9:86); (This is) a chapter which We have revealed. . . (24:1). It shows that Allâh Himself has divided His speech in various parts, each part being called a chapter. It naturally means that every chapter is a single unit in structure and in fullness of meaning; and that that unity is not found between various verses of a chapter or between one chapter and the other.