The Message of Islam — Page 8
8 Signs; it makes provision for mankind’s welfare: material, moral, and spiritual; it teaches all that is needed for the beneficent regu- lation of human life and expounds the philosophy underlying it, so that reason being satisfied, wholehearted conformity to what is taught is assured (see Surah al-Jumu‘ah, 62:2–3). It expounds the necessity of establishing and maintaining communion with God. It draws attention to Divine attributes, their operation and the manner in which mankind may derive benefit from the knowl- edge thereof. In short, all that is basic for the promotion of human welfare in all spheres, whether pertaining to principle or conduct, is set forth and expounded. (see Surah an-Nahl, 16:90) It is not possible to set forth at any time the whole meaning and interpretation of the Quran or, indeed, of any portion of it, with finality. It yields new truths and fresh guidance in every age and at every level. It is a standing and perpetual miracle (see Surah al-Kahf, 18:110). The universe is dynamic and so is the Quran. Indeed, so dynamic is the Quran that it has always been found to keep ahead of the world and never to lag behind it. However fast the pace at which the pattern of human life may change and evolve, the Quran always yields, and will go on yielding, needed guidance in advance. This has now been demonstrated through fourteen centuries, and that is a guarantee that it will continue to be demonstrated through the ages. The Quran has proclaimed that falsehood will never overtake it. All research into the past and every discovery and invention in the future will affirm its truth (see Surah Haa Meem as-Sajdah, 41:43). The Quran speaks at every level; it seeks to reach every type of understanding, through parables, similitudes, arguments, reasoning, the observation and study of the phenomena of nature,