In the Qur’an...

In the Qur’an, God Almighty has set forth concepts and realities that appeal to the differing levels of human intellect and thought, and its messages become even more radiant with the evolution of man’s knowledge.

A great thinker like Mulla Sadra derives from the following Qur’anic verse, the concept of burhan al-siddiqin [^1] in his thesis on hikmat al-muta’aliya (transcendent philosophy): سَنُرِيهِمْ آيَاتِنَا فِي الْآفَاقِ وَفِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ We will soon show them Our signs in the Universe and in their own souls, until it will become quite clear to them that it is the truth.

(Fussilat, 41/53) Similarly, other readers can also draw inferences from this verse about the realities of tawhid according to their individual level of understanding and intellect. God continually urges His servants to reason and ponder over the verses of the Qur’an – which is the richest and most complete source of knowledge at the disposal of mankind – and categorically prescribes that the truth be sought through deep contemplation.

Therefore to understand the words of God scholars more than anyone else are exposed to the limitless knowledge contained in His speech. It’s fascinating attraction in various dimensions draws them to benefit from it in proportion to their intellectual competencies. Due to the vastness of its spiritual treasures, Muslim scholars in different eras have offered a variety of opinions about the contents of the Qur’an.

Of course, such a great and unlimited source cannot be imagined to be a product of information that existed at the time of revelation because it contains information about the secrets of creation and external events that was not possible for an individual to know at that time. The Qur’an states: أَفَلا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ أَمْ عَلَى قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَا Do they not then reflect on the Qur’an? Or are there locks on their hearts?

(Muhammad, 47/24) The three terms, “ tadabbur ” (reflection), “ qulub ” (hearts) and “ aqfal ” (locks), demonstrate the special place of the Qur’an, this eternal miracle, in the lives of mankind. The verses of the Qur’an invite man to ponder deeply so that he may have access to the best policies, undo the shackles of ignorance and unawareness and illuminate the heart. They urge him to study nature to its limits so that he may explore the frontiers of what lies beyond.

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