The Holy Quran, the unparalleled Divine Word, is not only humanitys guide towards eternal felicity but also an infinite ocean encompassing all the truths of existence. This magnificent scripture, akin to an identity document for the entire cosmos, manifests the identity and reality of every entity from the Essence of the Almighty to transient creatures within its luminous verses. The examination of the names and attributes in the Holy Quran opens a window to comprehend the depth and breadth of this inexhaustible treasury. In this book, adopting an exegetical and scientific approach, we have analysed the names and attributes of the Holy Quran to present a structured and profound text for erudite audiences and researchers. This work, relying on the comprehensiveness of the Holy Quran, its distinction from other books, and its role as the Book of Unity and Division, elucidates the exalted position of this celestial scripture.
The Holy Quran is a comprehensive book in which nothing, neither living nor non-living, is left unrecorded. This comprehensiveness is not confined to external rulings and narratives but also extends to the inner meanings and interpretations of the verses.
Verse: وَمَا مِنْ دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا طَائِرٍ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ إِلَّا أُمَمٌ أَمْثَالُكُمْ مَا فَرَّطْنَا فِي الْكِتَابِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ (Al-Anm: 38)
There is no living being on earth nor any bird that flies with its two wings except that they are communities like yourselves. We have not neglected anything in the Book.
This verse emphasises the comprehensiveness of the Holy Quran and indicates that all creatures and existential realities are recorded explicitly in this manifest scripture. The Holy Quran, as the axis of guidance, not only conveys outward rulings but also serves, in its inner layers, as a reference for the understanding of all dimensions of creation.
The comprehensiveness of the Holy Quran has rendered it an unparalleled source for human guidance. This book, encompassing all truths of existencefrom material beings to sublime meaningsprovides a complete guide for human felicity.
The Holy Quran, akin to an identity document for existence, elucidates the identity and reality of every being within its verses. This book is not only the identity document of the Essence of the Almighty but also the introducer of mortal and immortal creatures.
Verse: قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ (Al-Tawhd: 14)
Say: He is Allah, the One; Allah, the Eternal Refuge; He neither begets nor is born; Nor is there to Him any equivalent.
The Chapter of Unity (Al-Tawhd) functions as the identity document of the Divine Essence, elucidating the attributes of Gods oneness and self-sufficiency. Furthermore, Chapter Al-Kawthar (إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ) alludes to Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her), and Chapter Al-Masad (تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ) identifies the enemies.
Through its verses, the Holy Quran confers identity upon all beings. This scripture, from the Divine Essence to mortal creatures, reveals the reality of every entity with unparalleled precision, and hence is recognised as a comprehensive identity document for existence.
The Holy Quran, as the Word of God, fundamentally differs from other heavenly and non-heavenly scriptures. This book, unlike the Torah, Psalms, or even literary works such as Hafezs Divan and Masnavi, possesses unmatched comprehensiveness and eternality.
Verse: اللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابًا مُتَشَابِهًا مَثَانِيَ (Az-Zumar: 23)
Allah has sent down the best statement: a Book consistent, repeating.
This verse underscores the superiority of the Holy Quran over other books. Unlike other heavenly scriptures confined to specific times and places, the Holy Quran is eternal and all-encompassing.
The distinction of the Holy Quran from other books lies in its infinite depth, comprehensiveness, and eternality. This scripture is not merely a guide for humanity but a unique source for understanding the truth of the universe.
The Holy Quran is a book that encompasses both unity and division; that is, it includes all truths while simultaneously differentiating between truth and falsehood and illustrating the nature of transient beings.
Verse: وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ (Al-Isr: 82)
And We send down from the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy for the believers.
This verse demonstrates comprehensiveness (healing and mercy) and division (specific to the believers). The Holy Quran, with this characteristic, encompasses the entirety of existence while distinguishing details.
The Holy Quran, endowed with the feature of unity and division, is a dynamic and comprehensive book that embraces all truths of existence and illuminates the path of guidance by separating truth from falsehood.
The Holy Quran introduces itself with multiple names. The term Quran is mentioned seventy times, while Furqn appears three times in this scripture. Quran signifies unity and Furqn signifies division.
Verse: تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي نَزَّلَ الْفُرْقَانَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ لِيَكُونَ لِلْعَالَمِينَ نَذِيرًا (Al-Furqn: 1)
Blessed is He who sent down the Furqn upon His servant that he may be to the worlds a warner.
Verse: ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِلْمُتَّقِينَ (Al-Baqarah: 2)
This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for the righteous.
Furqn, meaning the discerner of truth from falsehood, and Quran, as the comprehensive guidance, represent two facets of this scriptures reality. The numerical difference symbolises the dominance of comprehensiveness over division.
The names Qurn and Furqn manifest two complementary aspects of this book: comprehensiveness in guidance and distinction in the separation of truth from falsehood. These characteristics render the Holy Qurn an unparalleled source.
The concept of distinction in the Holy Qurn encompasses the discussion of perishable beings and the abrogation of verses. The Shah hold to a limited scope of abrogation, in contrast to some who consider its range to be extensive.
Verse: مَا نَنْسَخْ مِنْ آيَةٍ أَوْ نُنْسِهَا نَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ مِنْهَا أَوْ مِثْلِهَا (Al-Baqarah: 106)
Translation: "Whatever verse We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring a better one or its like."
This verse affirms the principle of abrogation, yet the Shah regard its scope as restricted. Abrogation is categorised into two types: written (modification of rulings) and unwritten (the perishability of certain beings).
The belief in limited abrogation reflects an emphasis on the perpetuity and comprehensiveness of the Holy Qurn. This book, through its dynamism, accepts the mutability of certain rulings while preserving the eternal truth.
Wilyah in the Holy Qurn is expressed in a concealed and latent manner, with reference made only in limited instances. Certain truths, such as the creation of the angels from the Light of the Five (Khamsa), have not been explicitly revealed due to wisdom and propriety.
Verse: إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ رَاكِعُونَ (Al-M'idah: 55)
Translation: "Your only guardians are Allah, His Messenger, and those who believe, who establish prayer and give zakh while they are bowing."
This verse alludes to the Wilyah of the Commander of the Faithful (Al, peace be upon him) implicitly. Furthermore, the concept of the Light of the Five refers to the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), which, due to propriety, is expressed in a concealed manner.
Esoteric Poem:
It is not befitting that the secret be unveiled from behind the veil,
Otherwise, there would be no news in the assembly of the intoxicated that is not news.
This poem alludes to the hidden nature of Wilyah and indicates that some truths remain undisclosed due to limitations of expression.
Wilyah, as a hidden jewel within the Holy Qurn, requires intimacy and knowledge for its discovery. This characteristic reveals the profound semantic depth of the Qurn and its connection to the divinely appointed guardians.
Entry into the Holy Qurn demands permission and heartfelt intimacy. Without such closeness, recitation may remain merely verbal and not lead to profound understanding.
Verse: مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ۚ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ أَشِدَّاءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَاءُ بَيْنَهُمْ (Al-Fath: 29)
Translation: "Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those who are with him are severe against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves."
Tradition: "Many a reciter of the Qurn is cursed by the Qurn."
This verse and tradition demonstrate the necessity of companionship with the divinely appointed guardians and heartfelt intimacy with the Holy Qurn for deep comprehension.
Intimacy with the Holy Qurn is the key to entering its boundless knowledge. Without such intimacy, recitation may be confined to lifeless words.
The term Qurn appears 70 times in the Holy Qurn: 50 instances as a definite noun with al-, 11 as a definite noun with tanwn and descriptor, 5 as an indefinite noun, and 4 as a verbal noun (masdar).
Verse: سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى (Al-Isr: 1)
Translation: "Glory be to Him who took His servant by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque."
Verse: إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا قُرْآنًا عَجَبًا (Al-Jinn: 1)
Translation: "Indeed, we heard a wondrous Qurn."
The lexical diversity of Qurn indicates its literary richness and semantic expansiveness. The verbal noun, owing to its generality and breadth, is sometimes superior even to the definite form.
The literary analysis of the names of the Holy Qurn reveals its linguistic and semantic richness. This diversity renders the Qurn an unparalleled source for literary and semantic research.
The Holy Qurn is definite (marifa), and its verses are clear and articulate. Each verse interprets itself and requires no external commentary.
Verse: وَلَوْ جَعَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا أَعْجَمِيًّا لَقَالُوا لَوْلَا فُصِّلَتْ آيَاتُهُ (Fussilat: 44)
Translation: "And if We had made it a non-Arabic Qurn, they would have said, Why are its verses not explained clearly?"
This verse emphasises the clarity and articulateness of the verses of the Holy Qurn. The principle of "one verse interpreting another" demonstrates the complementarity of interpretation, although each verse alone is self-sufficient.
The readability of the verses of the Holy Qurn renders this book self-sufficient and free from external commentary. Each verse, by virtue of its articulateness, serves as an independent guide to understanding the truth.
The Holy Qurn, like an infinite ocean, encompasses all truths of existence within itself. This book, with its multiple names (Qurn, Furqn, Kitb, Tanzl, Wahy, Kalm Allh) and vast attributes (guidance, mercy, light, healing, etc.), displays its comprehensiveness and perpetuity. Wilyah, though concealed, exists within the core of the Qurn and requires intimacy and permission to access. Literary analysis of the names highlights the linguistic and semantic richness of the Qurn, while the readability of its verses establishes it as a self-sufficient source of guidance. This book is an invitation to profound contemplation and intimacy with the Holy Qurn, that we may benefit from this boundless treasury of knowledge.
Under the supervision of SSadegh Khademii
