ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Faith and Reason Question 42: Pre-requisites for understanding the Qur’an Question: What are the prerequisites for understanding the Qur`an? Among the basic tenants of Islam is the belief that the (ص) is the final prophet and his religion is the final religion. It follows that the Qur`an must accompany man until the Day of Judgment providing him with guidance.

Thus, after the prophethood of Muhammad (ص), there is no excuse left to those who wish to flee from their duty toward Allah (awj).

On the one hand, this book describes itself as “light”[^1], “clear”[^2], “a clarifier”[^3], and “a proof.”[^4] It claims with emphasis that it is easy to understand and easy to benefit from.[^5] On the other hand, the Qur`an repeatedly calls its readership to ponder and criticises those who fail to do so.[^6] Our challenge is to find the harmony between these two sets of verses.

The Qur`an is “light” because it originates with the One who is the Light of the Heavens and Earth.[^7] It therefore, is not only luminous, but it illuminates other than itself. It follows that it is “clear” and evident to all. It is a “ clarifier ” because it also clarifies all that is external to itself. It is a “proof” because it removes all doubt and provides overwhelming proof against anyone who chooses to disbelieve in it.

Its surface meaning is comprehensible to all as attested to by anyone who understands ‘Arabic. It uses no confounding words or phrases. It does not employ any strange ‘Arabic dialects. It also refrains from using the jargon specific to any particular field that its reader would require specialized knowledge to comprehend it. The content of the Qur`an is far from the decadence of the Age of Ignorance. It does not speak of lustful desire or power mongering and pillaging.

Rather the Qur`an has provided guidance to man from the time it was revealed until now, and will continue to do so until the Day of Judgment. It leads him to the epitome of humanity and everlasting felicity. It leads him to the gnosis and benefaction that lead to the perfection of the soul. It warns him of the lethal danger of saturating one’s base desires in worldly pleasures.

Despite all this, much of the Qur`an’s content is supernatural though it has been written using a very material vocabulary. To convey these ideas, it employs parables, stories, vernacular phrases, argumentation, words of admonishment, warnings and promises, and theological proofs.