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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Towards Better Understanding of the Qur'an Is Qur'an Understandable? But the important question which is often asked is whether the Qur’an is understandable by an ordinary reader, or it requires scholarly background to comprehend its meaning? Has this book been introduced for the purpose of studying and understanding it, or whether it is just for reading and reciting and obtaining reward and blessing?

The student of Qur’an, possibly, may wonder at raising of such a question. To him it may appear beyond doubt that the Qur'an is meant for the purpose of knowing and understanding it.

Nevertheless, in view of various undesirable currents, which due to numerous reasons came into existence in the Muslim world regarding the question of understanding of the Qur'an, and which had an important role in bringing about the decline of Muslims, I shall discuss the necessity of studying and understanding the Qur’an in brief. Is the purpose of Qur’an to obtain thawab only?

There are some people who think that the Qur'an is to be read merely for the purpose of obtaining spiritual reward (thawab) without need of understanding anything of its contents. They continuously recite the Qur'an, but if they are even once asked: "Do you understand the meaning of what you are reading?" they cannot answer. To recite the Qur'an is essential and good, being regarded as the first step necessary for comprehending its contents; and not merely as a means for gaining Divine reward.

Regrettably, the roots of those degenerate and dangerous notions still persist in our societies. So I consider it necessary to elaborate on this topic. Qur'an must be read and studied with the intention of educating oneself. The Qur'an itself clarifies this point: “A book We have sent down to you, blessed, that men possessed of mind may ponder its signs end so remember”. (38:29) One of the functions of the Qur'an is to instruct and to teach.

For this purpose, the Qur'an addresses human reason and speaks in logical and demonstrative terms. Infact, not only the believers and the faithful, but even the infidels are invited by it to contemplate over its verses. The Qur'an demands that it verses should be first contemplated over, before forming any adverse opinion against them.

Addressing the opponents, it says, why they don't ponder over the Qur'an, what sort of hearts they possess, they are as if shut close and sealed: “What, do they not ponder the Qur'an?