ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Towards Better Understanding of the Qur'an Qur’an Describes Itself Let us start by reflecting upon what Qur’an has to say about itself. The Qur'an introduces itself as the guidance for the worlds (3:96); and the manifest light (4:174). According to Qur’an, Allah has laid down solution of every human problem in the Qur’an very clearly. Qur’an says: “and We have revealed the Book to you explaining clearly everything (16:89) .

Also He has described the Qur'an in these words: “ ....... a guidance for mankind and clear evidence of guidance and discrimination (between wrong)”. (2:185). The Qur'an is, accordingly, a guidance, an evidence, a discrimination between right and wrong and a manifest light for the people to guide them aright and help them in all their needs. Is it imaginable that it would not guide them aright in its own matter, while it is their most important need?

Again Allah says: “And (as for) those who strive hard for Us, We will most certainly guide them onto Our ways”. (29:69). Which striving is greater than the endeavor to understand His Book? And which way is more straight than the Qur'an? “Lo! this Qur’an guides to that which is most upright”. (17:9) The Holy Qur’an is a book which by sound reasoning bestows insight upon man. It shows the right path to man by giving the accounts of the Prophets and the nations.

It motivates him through parables, exhortations and admonitions. “Such are some of the stories of the unseen, which We have revealed unto you, before this neither you nor your people knew them. So persevere patiently, for the end is for those who are righteous”. (11:49).

The Qur'an describes its other function as the presentation of the Prophetic mission, which is aimed at guidance of humanity, by delivering it from darkness and leading it towards light: “A Book We have sent down to you so that you may bring forth mankind from the darkness into the light......”. (14:1) What is the meaning of darkness mentioned in the above ayah?

Without doubt the darkness of ignorance is one of the vices from which the Qur'an emancipates humanity and leads it towards the light of knowledge and wisdom. However, if merely ignorance were regarded as darkness, then the philosophers could have accomplished this job. But there exist other evils more dangerous than the vice of ignorance, and to subdue them is beyond the power of sheer knowledge.