However, one can never state that all of these contrary and opposite beliefs and ideologies stem directly from the Divine Revelation (wahi) and that all of these make up the actual goals and objectives which the Qur`an has put forward, since the Qur`an clearly states that: وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِنْدِ غَيْرِ اللٌّهِ لَوَجَدُوا فِيهِ اخْـتِلاَفاً كَثِيراً “And had this (Qur`an) come from any other than Allah then surely you would have found numerous discrepancies within it.” [^8] This confusion can also be cleared up if we do not forget the unity and harmony which exists amongst the verses of the Qur`an.
In addition, we must keep in mind that the Qur`an has been described as possessing the following two characteristics: a. Verses which are similar to one another; B. Often repeated – from the point of view of their content (not necessarily repeated verbatim).
This is clearly seen in a verse of the Qur`an in which it is stated: أَللٌّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَاباً مُّـتَشَابِهاً مَّـثَانِيَ “Allah has revealed the best of discourses in the form of a Book, consistent with itself, (yet) repeating (its teachings in various aspects).” [^9] Naturally, one thing may resemble something else and whereas it is possible that they may differ in some regards and aspects, however without doubt they would also have points of conformity and commonality amongst them and it is for this reason that they are referred to as being similar to one another.
Therefore, in explaining one verse of the Qur`an, one must refer to all of the other verses which have been revealed in the same regard. At this point, from the collection of all the verses, a final opinion would be concluded, and this is how one should carry on the entire process of commentary of the Qur`an. It is at this point that the necessity to search for another form of commentary of the Qur`an which is known as the ‘thematic exegesis’ of the Qur`an becomes obvious.
The methodology used in such a commentary of the Qur`an is that all of the verses on a particular theme are – as much as is humanly possible – gathered together, and then at that point, one keeps in mind the context of each verse and compares one verse to another. From this overall review, one outcome is extracted.