SHAFAQNA- Therefore, let us ponder and reflect upon what the Prophet (S), the teacher of the Holy Qur’an, said about the excellence of the Holy Qur’an. He said about it in a sermon thus:
”… Therefore, when mischief come to confuse you like the segments of darkened night, then hold fast to the Qur’an;
as it is the intercessor whose intercession shall be granted;
and it is a credible advocate;
and whoever keeps it before him, it will lead him to the Garden;
and whoever keeps it behind, it will drive him to the Fire;
and it is the guide that guides to the best path;
and it is a book in which there is explanation, particularization and recapitulation;
and it is a decisive (word), and not a joke;
and there is in it a manifest (meaning) and an esoteric (one);
thus its apparent (meaning) is firm, and its esoteric (one) is knowledge;
its exterior is elegant and its interior deep;
it has (many) boundaries, and its boundaries have (many) boundaries;
its wonders shall not cease, and its (unexpected) marvels shall not be old.
There are in it the lamps of guidance and the beacon of wisdom, and guide to knowledge for him who knows the attributes.
Therefore, one should extend his sight; and should let his eyes reach the attribute; so that one who is in perdition may get deliverance, and one who is entangled may get free;
because meditation is the life of the heart of the one who sees, as the one having a light (easily) walks in darkness; therefore, you must seek good deliverance and (that) with little waiting”.
After his death, the Prophet appointed his progeny Ahlul Bayt to carry on this work after him – to explain the true meaning of Qur’an to the people. It is clear from his unanimously accepted tradition:
“I am leaving behind among you two precious things; as long as you hold fast to them you will never go astray after me: The Book of Allah and my progeny, my family members; and these two shall never separate from each other until they reach me (on) the fountain”.
And Allah has confirmed, in the following two verses, this declaration of the Prophet that his progeny had the real knowledge of the Book:
Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanliness from you, O people of the House! and to purify you a (thorough) purifying (33:33);
Most surely it is an honoured Qur’an, in a Book that is hidden; None do touch it save the purified ones (56:77 -79) .
Now let us see what Ahlul Bayt have said about the excellence of Qur’an:
Allama Majlisi in volume 19 of his multivolume work Bihar al-Anwar has reported that : Al-Harith al-Hamadani related the following:
“I entered the mosque and some persons were in deep controversy about some hadith traditions. I went to ‘‘Ali bin Abi Talib and said: ‘Are you aware that people at the mosque are in dispute over hadith?’ He said, ‘So they have done it!’ I said, ‘Yes.’
He (as) said, ‘I have indeed heard from the Prophet (S) saying, “There shall be sedition (fitna) after me.”’ I asked: ‘How do we avoid that?’
He (the Prophet, saw) said: ‘The Book of God, the Book of God.
In it is the information about those who were before you and what will come after you, and it will be the judge among you.
It is the final decision and not a jest. (86:13-14)
It is that which not even the might could forsake without being shattered by God.
Whoever seeks guidance in anything other than it, God will lead him astray.
It is the firm rope of God.
It is the wise remembrance (3:58).
It is the straight path.
With it, hearts will never deviate, nor will the tongues utter confusion.
Scholars will never have their full of it; it will not wear out from constant use, nor will its wonders be exhausted.
It is that which when the jinns heard it, they could not help saying: ‘We heard a marvelous Qur’an (recitation). (7:21)’
Whoever utters it speaks the truth, whoever rules by it is just; whoever abides by it will receive his just reward; and whoever calls for it shall be guided to the straight path. Follow it.”