Overview (Verses 1 - 3)

Dispelling All Doubt 

Alif. Lām. Mīm. The revelation of this Book comes, beyond any doubt, from the Lord of all the worlds-. Do they say: ‘He has invented it?’ It is indeed the truth from your Lord, so that you may warn a community to whom no warner has come before you, and that they may be guided. (Verses 1-3) The three separate letters the sūrah begins with were well known to the Arabs who were the first to be addressed by the Qur’ān. They knew what speech they could compose of them and their like. They knew full well the great difference between their composition and this Qur’ān. It is a wide gulf recognized by any speech expert and anyone who practises putting ideas and meanings into words and sentences. Such a person realizes that the Qur’ānic text has an inherent, subtle power that makes it particularly effective as it addresses people’s hearts and minds. No human composition can have any similar effect. This is a fact that cannot be denied. A listener to the Qur’ān will definitely recognize it and interact with it, to the exclusion of all other speech, even though he might not know that what he is listening to is the Qur’ān. Numerous are the examples people of all sorts have experienced, confirming this fact.

 
The difference between the Qur’ān and what people make up, using letters and sounds is unbridgeable. It is the same as the gulf between God’s creation and what people make in any particular field. What is of God’s making is distinct and remarkable. It cannot be matched by humans, even in the most mundane of things. Look at the colour distribution in a single flower: it appears like a miracle for even the most skilful of painters in all ages. The same applies to the Qur’ān and what people compose when they use the letters and sounds of language.

“The revelation of this Book comes, beyond any doubt, from the Lord of all the worlds.” (Verse 2) This is a fact no one can deny. All doubt is negated in the middle of the sentence, because this is the essence of the question, and the point the verse wants to make. That it is preceded by the separate letters puts the doubters face to face with the indisputable fact. This book is composed of the like of such letters which they know, yet its construction is superior in every way. They do not deny that superiority in practice, or when they apply any recognized standards of judging speech.

Every verse, and every sūrah, radiates with the subtle and powerful element that gives the Qur’ān its unique character. All people are powerfully influenced by it once they open their hearts and minds to receive its message. Indeed, this phenomenon is more clearly felt the greater the user’s education and knowledge of the universe and what it contains. Indeed, the Qur’ān does not just impart a vague momentary effect on people’s spiritual feelings. It is rather a permanent and lasting impression that the listener and reader receive. Undoubtedly, though, the import, rhythm and concepts of its verses increases the greater the recipient’s knowledge and education, provided that his nature is pure, uncorrupted by personal prejudice or desire. This makes it clear that this Qur’ān is of no human being’s composition, and that it is revealed by the Lord of all the worlds.

“Do they say: He has invented it?” (Verse 3) They said it in fact as they stubbornly rejected the divine message. Yet the sūrah puts their statement in the form of a rhetorical question that indicates amazement that such a claim should ever be uttered. Everything in Muhammad’s history in their midst contradicts their false accusation. Besides, the very nature of the Qur’ān shows it to be false, leaving no room for doubt.

“It is indeed the truth from your Lord.” (Verse 3) Its very essence is in complete agreement with nature and what it contains of everlasting truth, as also with what the universe contains of truth. Indeed the truth is reflected in the very nature of the universe, its harmony, consistent and comprehensive system, in the absence of contradiction or collision between its component parts, and in the mutual complementarity of all these. It is the truth, as it rightly expresses the natural laws of the universe as though it was their own verbal expression. It is the truth, as it ensures the existence of a strong link between those who accept its way of life and the universe in which they live. It establishes peace, understanding and cooperation between them and all universal forces. Such believers live in an atmosphere of friendliness with the great expanse that is the universe. That it is the truth is beyond doubt, as human nature responds to its address with ease, repose and affability. Because it is the truth, it allows no contradiction or division when it lays down a complete constitution for human life, taking into account all the resources, talents, desires, needs and requirements of human nature, as well as what may affect it of weakness and shortcomings. It is the truth that does not cause injustice to anyone in this life or the life to come. Indeed it does no injustice to any type of personal ability, power, idea, or action so as to prevent it from taking effect or working naturally, as long as it is in harmony with the great universal truth.

“It is indeed the truth from your Lord.” (Verse 3) It does not come from you, but from your Lord who is the Lord of all the worlds. That the verse uses the formula ‘your Lord’ is meant as an honour to the Prophet whom the unbelievers accused of inventing the Qur’ān. It makes clear the close relationship he has with the Lord of the universe. This is the best answer to their wicked accusations. Such an honour and closeness confirm the certainty of the source of revelation, its sound reception, honest and correct delivery.

“So that you may warn a community to whom no warner has come before you, and that they may be guided.” (Verse 3) The Arabs to whom the Prophet Muhammad was sent had not been sent any messenger before him. History does not know of any Arab messenger of God between Ishmael, the first grandfather of the Arabs, and Muhammad (peace be upon them both). God bestowed this book on him so that he could warn them and that they may be guided.’ It is hoped that contemporary Arabs would be guided with this book which contains the truth that addresses hearts, minds, souls and nature.