The Quran explains all things

In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful

And We have not revealed to you the Prescription, except for you to make clear to them that wherein they have differed and as guidance and mercy for a people who believe. (16:64)

 

The common belief of the Muslim tradition is the assertion about the need to clarify the Quran by scholars and their exclusive right to do so. A lot of books are written about this, the complex scientific directions are developed. They contain numerous examples from the Quran, which, supposedly, can only be understood by the scientists’ explanation. After studying such comments, a person begins to believe that the Quran is sent down to a narrow circle of initiates and in order to join this circle, it is necessary to study dozens and hundreds of ancient works of early Islamic theologians.

Turning to the very Prescription, we find an entirely different assertion. God in the Quran used the word فصل (fassolya), which means “to divide into parts, explain in detail“. This is how it is used in relation to the Quran:

And thus do We detail the signs, and the way of the criminals will become evident. (6:55)

“Then is it other than God I should seek as judge while it is He who has revealed to you the Prescription explained in detail?” And those to whom We previously gave the Prescription know that it is sent down from your Lord in truth! So never be among the doubters! (6:114)

And this is the path of your Lord, [leading] straight. We have detailed the signs for a people who remember! (6:126)

And We had certainly brought them a Prescription which We detailed by knowledge – as guidance and mercy to a people who believe. (7:52)

And it was not [possible] for this Literature (Quran) to be produced by other than God, but it is a confirmation of what was before it and a detailed explanation of the Prescription, about which there is no doubt, from the Lord of the worlds. (10:37)

Alif, Lam, Ra.

The Prescription.

Whose signs are perfected and then presented in detail from Wise and Acquainted! (11:1)

A Prescription whose signs have been detailed, an Arabic Literature (Quran) for a people who know, (41:3)

 

Unfortunately, all people who believe in God are systematically persuaded that they will not be able to understand the Quran without so-called experts. As a result, most people do not learn to use their minds for reflection, thinking, analysis and understanding of the matter. After all, traditionally it is believed that without special religious preparation, people cannot understand the word of God. However, our Creator knows the abilities of our minds better and accordingly sets forth His guidelines.

And why should you not eat of that upon which the name of God has been mentioned while He has explained in detail to you what He has forbidden you, excepting that to which you are compelled! And indeed do many lead [others] astray through their passions without knowledge. Indeed, your Lord – He is most knowing of the transgressors! (6:119)

Say, “Who has forbidden the adornment of God which He has produced for His servants and the good things of provision?”

Say, “They are for those who believe during the worldly life, exclusively for them on the day of standing before Him.” Thus do We detail the signs for a people who know! (7:32)

And thus do We detail the signs, and perhaps they will return! (7:174)

But if they repent, establish prayer, and give purifying expenditure, then they are your brothers in fulfilment of the duty; and We detail the signs for a people who know! (9:11)

The example of worldly life is but like rain which We have sent down from the sky that the plants of the earth absorb – from which men and livestock eat – until, when the earth has taken on its adornment and is beautified and its people suppose that they have capability over it, there comes to it Our command by night or by day, and We make it as a harvest, as if it had not flourished yesterday. Thus do We explain in detail the signs for a people who give thought. (10:24)

There was certainly in their narratives a lesson for those of understanding. Never was it a narration invented!

But a confirmation of what was before it and a detailed explanation of all things and Guidance and mercy for a people who believe! (12:111)

He presents to you an example from yourselves. Do you have among slaves any partners in what We have provided for you so that you are equal therein? Would you fear them as your fear of one another? Thus do We detail the signs for a people who use reason. (30:28)

 

The Prescription of God is universal. It explains not only simple truths, but also scientific data, which, incidentally, is also available to the human mind, which is confirmed by the discoveries of the 20th century.

And it is He who placed for you the stars that you may be guided by them through the darknesses of the land and sea. We have detailed the signs for a people who know!

And it is He who produced you from One Personality! And [gave you] a place of dwelling and of storage! We have detailed the signs for a people who understand! (6:97-98)

It is He who made the sun a shining light and the moon a derived light! He determined for it phases – that you may know the number of years and account. God has not created this except in truth. He details the signs for a people who know. (10:5)

It is God who erected the heavens without pillars that you see, then arranged them for dwelling. The sun and moon are exploited. All is intended for a specified term. He arranges matter. He details the signs that you may, of the meeting with your Lord, be certain! (13:2)

And We have made the night and day two signs, and We erased the sign of the night and made the sign of the day visible that you may seek bounty from your Lord and may know the number of years and the account. And everything We have set out in detail! (17:12)

 

The previous Prescriptions also contained the detailed explanations:

Then We gave Musa (Moses) full Prescription, making complete [Our favor] upon the one who did good and as a detailed explanation of all things and as guidance and mercy that perhaps in the meeting with their Lord they would believe! (6:154)

And We wrote for him on the tablets – exhortation and explanation for all things, [saying], “Take them with determination and order your people to take the best of it!” (7:145)

 

Along with the above word, God applies the words بين (bayina, bayinun) in the Quran, meaning “to explain, to show, clear, explicit, obvious“. And بينة(bayinatun), meaning “explicit proof, testimony.” By these terms, the Almighty made it clear who should explain His Word:

The blazing (Ramadan) month in which was revealed the Literature (Quran), a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion (2:185)

…Thus does God make clear His signs to the people that they may become circumspect. (2:187)

…Thus does God make clear to you His signs that you may be grateful! (5:89)

And the day when We will resurrect among every headship a witness over them from themselves. And We will bring you, as a witness over your nation. And We have sent down to you the Prescription as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the humble. (16:89)

And thus have We sent it down as signs of clear evidence and because God guides whom He intends. (22:16)

Chapter.

Which We have sent down and made it obligatory and revealed therein signs of clear evidence that you might remember! (24:1)

We have certainly sent down distinct signs. And God guides whom He wills to a straight path! (24:46)

…Thus does God make clear to you the signs; and God is Knowing and Wise! (24:58)

Then upon Us is its clarification! (75:19)

 

God sent down the Prescription to the people so that they would understand Him and follow His ordinances. After all, if the Word of God is not clear to a man, then there is nothing to demand from him. However, the Quran is understandable for all thinking people.

But if you deviate after clear proofs have come to you, then know that God is Exalted in Might and Wise. (2:209)

…And He makes clear His signs to the people that perhaps they may remember! (2:221)

…These are the limits of God, which He makes clear to a people who know. (2:230)

…Thus does Allah make clear to you His signs that you might use reason. (2:242)

…Thus does Allah make clear to you His signs that you might give thought! (2:266)

This is a clarification for the people and a guidance and exhortation for those circumspect. (3:138)

…God makes clear to you, lest you go astray. And God is Knowing of all things! (4:176)

At all times, just like today, there were people who denied the truth. But all their arguments for God are unconvincing. And no matter how a person justifies himself, he is blamed by the Creator.

And We have certainly revealed to you signs as clear proofs, and no one would deny them except the apostates. (2:99)

Those who do not know say, “Why does God not speak to us or there come to us a sign?” Thus spoke those before them like their words. Their hearts resemble each other. We have shown clearly the signs to a people who are certain. (2:118)

 

How shall God guide a people who closed themselves after their belief and had witnessed that the messenger is true and clear signs had come to them? And God does not guide the obscurantists! (3:86)

 

And do not be like the ones who became divided and differed after the clear proofs had come to them. And those will have a great punishment! (3:105)

O you who have believed! Do not take for intimate friends anyone except those from among your own selves. They will not miss a chance to hamper you. They would like to have what you have. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater. (3:118)

 

Say, “Indeed, I am on clear evidence from my Lord, and you have denied it. I do not have that for which you are impatient. The decision is only for God. He relates the truth, and He is the best of clarifying!” (6:57)

Or lest you say, “If only the Prescription had been revealed to us, we would have been better guided than they.”

So there has come to you a clear evidence from your Lord and a guidance and mercy! Then who is more unjust than one who denies the signs of God and turns away from them? We will recompense those who turn away from Our signs with the worst of punishment for their having turned away! (6:157)

 

And God would not let a people stray after He has guided them until He makes clear to them what they should avoid. Indeed, God is Knowing of all things! (9:115)

And when Our signs are recited to them as clear evidences, those who do not expect the meeting with Us say, “Bring us a Literature (Quran) other than this or change it.”

Say, “It is not for me to change it on my own accord. I only follow what is suggested to me. Indeed I fear, if I should disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous day!” (10:15)

Then We sent after him messengers to their nation, and they came to them with clear proofs. But they were not to believe in that which they had denied before. Thus We seal over the hearts of the transgressors! (10:74)

And when Our signs are recited to them as clear evidences, those who closed themselves say to those who believe, “Which of two parties is best in position and best in association?” (19:73)

 

And when Our signs are recited to them as clear evidences, you recognize in the faces of those who closed themselves denial. They are ready to attack those who recite to them Our signs.

Say, “Then shall I inform of worst of that for you? – the fire! God has promised it to those who closed themselves! And wretched is such return!” (22:72)

 

Rather, it is distinct signs within thoughts of those who have been given knowledge. And none reject Our signs except the obscurantists! (29:49)

And when Our signs are recited to them as clear evidences, they say, “This is not but a man who wishes to avert you from that which your fathers were worshipping!”

And they say, “This is not except a libel invented.”

And those who closed themselves say of the truth when it has come to them, “This is not but obvious magic!” (34:43)

And when Our signs are recited to them as clear evidences, their argument is only that they say, “Bring [back] our forefathers, if you should be truthful!” (45:25)

And when Our signs are recited to them as clear evidences, those who closed themselves say of the truth when it has come to them, “This is obvious magic!” (46:7)

Know that God gives life to the earth after its lifelessness. We have made clear to you the signs; perhaps you will understand! (57:17)

Indeed, those who oppose God and His messenger are abased as those before them were abased.

And We have certainly sent down signs of clear evidence! And for the closed ones is a humiliating punishment! (58:5)

As for people who have previously received the Prescription of God, they also have no justification in not accepting the truth.

Many of the people of the Prescription wish they could turn you back to closed nature after you have believed, out of envy from themselves after the truth has become clear to them. So pardon and overlook until God delivers His command. Indeed, God is over all things competent! (2:109)

Indeed, those who conceal what We sent down of clear proofs and guidance after We made it clear for the people in the Prescription – those are cursed by God and cursed by those who curse (2:129)

O holders of the Prescription! There has come to you Our messenger making clear to you much of what you used to conceal of the Prescription and overlooking much. There has come to you from God a light – a clear Prescription! (5:15)

O holders of the Prescription! There has come to you Our messenger to make clear after a period of messengers, lest you say, “There came not to us any bringer of good tidings or a warner!” But there has come to you a bringer of good tidings and a warner. And God is over all things competent! (5:19)

The anointed, son of Mariam (Mary), was not but a messenger. Other messengers have passed on before him, and his mother was righteous. They both used to eat food. Look how We make clear to them the signs; then look how they are deluded! (5:75)

 

Of course, the representative of any direction in Islam, relying on the command of God to obey the prophet, will insist on the execution of his orders. No one disputes this thesis. But the stumbling block is exactly how we should obey him? What commands of the messenger do we have to fulfil? There is an opinion that it is necessary to rely on the traditions about the messenger himself. But the text of the Quran gives us something else/on contrary:

They ask you about substance that covers the mind and gambling. Say, “In them is great sin and benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.”

And they ask you what they should spend.

Say, “The excess.”

Thus God makes clear to you the signs that you might give thought. (2:219)

And We revealed to you the reminder that you may make clear to the people what was sent down to them and that they might give thought! (16:44)

Say, “Indeed, I have been forbidden to serve those you call upon besides God once the clear proofs have come to me from my Lord, and I have been commanded to be humble before the Lord of the worlds.” (40:66)

It is He who sends down upon His servant clear evidence that He may bring you out from darknesses into the light. And indeed, God is to you Compassionate and Merciful! (57:9)

God has sent down to you the messenger with the reminder, reciting to you clarified signs of God that He may bring out those who believe and corrected themselves from darknesses into the Light. And whoever believes in God and corrects himself – He will admit him into gardens beneath which rivers flow to abide therein forever. God will have perfected for him a provision! (65:11)

 

From these passages it becomes clear that obedience to the messenger is limited to following the Prescription that he gave us. As God said in the Quran, all the messengers came with the same mission. And the requirement for people has never changed.

And We did not send any messenger except [speaking] in the language of his nation to state clearly for them, and God sends astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise! (14:4)

Has there not reached you the message of those before you – the people of Nuh (Noah) and ‘Aad and Thamud and those after them? No one knows them but God!

Their messengers brought them clear proofs, but they returned their hands to their mouths and said, “Indeed, we are closed from that with which you have been sent, and indeed we are, about that to which you invite us, in disquieting doubt!” (14:9)

They replied, “Never will we prefer you over what has come to us of clear proofs and [over] He who created us. So decree whatever you are to decree. You can only decree for this worldly life. (20:72)

And We have certainly sent down to you distinct signs and examples from those who passed on before you and an exhortation for those who circumspect. (24:34)

 

Then can we say that God did not sufficiently explain the Prescription? Do we have the right to speak about the insufficiency of the Quran as divine guidance?