Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Translation and Explanatory Notes (Lahore, Pakistan: Islamic Book Centre, n.d.), vol. 1 , p. I
0. There are some commentators who understand the demonstrative pronoun phrase here to
mean, "that is the book." They are then forced to explain what is the referent of "that." Fakhar
al-Deen Al-Raazi has given seven possible explanations. [See Fakhar al-Deen al-Raazi, alTafseer alKabeer (Beirut: Daar Ihyaa al-Turaath al-Arabi, n.d.), vol. 2, pp. 12-1 3 .]
However, it is clear from the statements of the Companions that the meaning of the phrase is
"this is the book" and not "that is the book." This controversy is discussed in detail in this
author's lecture series, "Tafseer Soorah al-Baqarah," Lecture #3.
Third, Allah mentions that this is a book concerning which there can be no doubt. It is
the case that many disbelievers and skeptics doubt this book. However, that is not the
meaning of this passage. The meaning is that the proofs and evidence that this is a true and
perfect revelation from Allah are so great and clear that there is in reality no room or reason
for anyone to doubt this book. This applies to the book as a whole and every portion of its
guidance. There should be no doubt concerning anything that Allah has stated in this book.
The absence of doubt, as al-Saadi points out, implies that the believer must be completely
certain and satisfied that everything stated in this book is true.
Fourth, Allah describes this book as "guidance." Commenting on this portion of the
verse, al-Saadi noted, Allah stated the word "guidance" without stating its regimen or
governing word. He did not say, "Guidance for the benefit of so and so," or "for the benefit of
such and such purpose." [Such was not said] so that the concept of guidance may be left in its
generality. It is guidance for all of the needs and benefits of the life of this world and that of
the Hereafter. It is the guide for humans concerning fundamental and secondary aspects. It
distinguishes truth from falsehood and what is sound from what is weak. And it makes clear
for them how to follow the path that is beneficial for them in both their worldly affairs and
their other worldly matters.