Essence of the Holy Qur’an — Page xiv
Essence of the Holy Qur’ a n xiv long period of time in order also to enable the believers to learn, remember and assimilate the Qur’ a nic teachings and to commit the Holy Qur’ a n itself to memory. The gradual revelation of the Holy Qur’ a n also fulfilled the following biblical prophecy: Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. (Isaiah 28:9-11). The Holy Qur’ a n possesses all the qualities and attributes implicit in this word. It is not only completely free from every defect and imperfection but possesses all the excellent qualities that the last Divine Law for the whole of mankind should possess, and it possesses them in full measure. Names of the Holy Qur’ a n The proper name of the Holy Qur’ a n which occurs at several places in the Holy Book itself is Al-Qur’ a n (v. 28:56). It also uses for itself additional names and qualifying epithets, some of which are: Al-Kit a b , the Perfect Book (v. 2:3); Adh-Dhikr, the Source of Honour of the Reminder (v. 15:10); Al-H u d a , the Guidance (v. 72:14); Al-Furq a n that which distinguishes between right and wrong (v. 25:2); Al-Bushr a , the Glad Tidings (v. 16:90); Al-Burh a n , the clear Argument (v. 4:176); Al-Qayyim , the Guardian (v. 18:3); Al-Muhaimin , the Protector (v. 5:49); An-N u r , the Light (v. 7:158); Al- H aqq , the Truth (v. 18:82); Al-Bay a n , the clear Demonstration (v. 3:138); Al-Khair , the Goodness (v. 3:104); An-Ni‘mat , the Bounty (v. 93:12); Ar-Ra h mat , the Mercy (v. 2:06); Ash-Shif a ’ , the Healing (v. 10:158); Al- H ukm , the Judgement (v. 13:38); Ar-R uh , the Spirit of the Divine Word (v. 42:53); Al- H ikmat , the Wisdom (v. 17:40); Al-M i z a n , the Balance (v. 57:26); Al-Kar i m , the Noble (v. 56:78); Al-‘Ajab , the Wonderful (v. 72:2); Al- Ha kim , Full of Wisdom (v. 36: 3); Al-M a jid, the Glorious (v. 50:2); Al-‘Az i z , the Mighty (v. 41:42); Al-Mub i n , that which explains fully (v. 12:2); Al-Mu s addiq , that which fulfils the prophecies made in the previous Scriptures (v. 6:93); Mub a rak, the Blessed (v. 6:93); Al-Marf u ‘ah , the Exalted (v. 80:14); Al-Mu t ahharah , the Purified (v. 80:14). All the names and qualifying epithets shed light upon the extensive import of the verses in which they occur. Language of the Holy Qur’ a n Being the eternal revelation for all mankind till the end of time it was natural that the Holy Qur’ a n should have enjoyed complete immunity from all possibilities of interpolation or tempering of its text. No other Divine Scripture has claimed this distinction nor has any one of them enjoyed this immunity. This distinction and superiority of the Holy Qur’ a n has been set forth in the most challenging terms: We ourselves have sent down this Exhortation and We will most surely safeguard it (v. 15:10). The promise made in this verse has