Different interpretations have been put forward for the...

Different interpretations have been put forward for the detached letters opening a number of Qur’anic Chapters the best of which may be the one according to which the inimitability of the Holy Qur’an springs from the same letters as the second Verse of Chapter 42[^4], following the detached letters HM ‘ASQ, reads: “Likewise Allah, the Omnipotent, the All-Wise sends Revelation to you [O Muhammad!].” according to a number of traditions, a secret lies in these letters which is solely known to God.[^5] The detached letters HM open the Verse in question as well as the four preceding and the two following Chapters.

Interpretations of these letters have been discussed above. Such interpretations of the detached letters HM may be found in the openings of Chapters 40 and 41[^6]. It is worthy of note that a number of exegets have taken HM in the sense of taking an oath consistent with the following oath to the Qur’an thus making two oaths to the detached letters HM and the Qur’an.

It was mentioned above that God Almighty swears to the Holy Qur’an in the second Verse of this Chapter saying: “By the manifest Book that makes things clear.” The Holy Qur’an is a Book with manifest contents, invigorating teachings, constructive decrees, and well measured plans. It bears testimony to Its Truth.

“The Sun bears testimony to [the existence of] the Sun.” The truth for which the oath has been taken is suggested in the third Verse: “We sent It [i.e., the Holy Qur’an bearing testimony to the veracity of the prophethood of the Prophet of Islam (S)] down on a blessed night.” The word: mubarak (“blessed; useful; everlasting; permanent”) derives from baraka. What night is the one which is the source of permanent good things?

The majority of exegets maintain that it is the Night of Decree, a blessed Night on which the Ordainments of the world of humanity found a novel color with the Revelation of the Holy Qur’an, a night on which the fates of humanity and the Ordainments of one year are predestined. Thus, the Holy Qur’an was revealed to the pure heart of the Prophet (S) on a fateful and momentous night.

It is noteworthy that the Verse apparently indicates that the Holy Qur’an, in Its entirety, was revealed to the Prophet (S) on the Night of Decree. What was the main purpose behind Its revelation?