| "(This is) a Book We have
revealed to you abounding in good, that they may ponder upon the verses".
That
is, We have not sent the Qur'an to be kissed, embraced and put on the niche to
gather dust, but for men to read and to contemplate about its contents:
That
those endowed with understanding may ponder its signs and so remember. (38:29)
Ayatullah
Murtadha Mutahhari says: "Scores of verses in Qur'an emphasize the importance
of contemplation in the Qur'an and interpretation of the Qur'anic verses, although
not an interpretation based on personal caprices and bias, but a just, truthful
and balanced interpretation free of all traces of selfish interests. "If
we try to comprehend the Qur'an in an honest and unbiased way, it is not at all
necessary to solve all problems that we find in it. In this regard the Qur'an
is similar to Nature.
In Nature, too, a number of mysteries have neither
been solved yet, nor can they be solved in present conditions, yet are likely
to be solved in the future. Moreover, in studying and understanding nature, man
has to tailor his ideas in accordance with Nature itself. He is forced to interpret
Nature in accordance with its reality. He cannot define Nature in terms of his
own caprices and inclinations. "The Qur'an, like the book of Nature, is a
book that has not been sent for a specific age and time. Had it been otherwise,
all the secrets of the Qur'an would have been discovered in the past; this heavenly
Book would not have presented its charm, freshness and vitality. But we see that
the possibility of contemplation, reflection and discovery of new dimensions is
inexhaustible in the case of this Holy Book".
This is a point that
has amply been emphasized and clarified by the Prophet and the Imams. In a tradition,
it is related from the Prophet (blessings of Allah be upon him and his progeny)
that the Qur'an, like the sun and the moon, will present its movement and continuity;
that is, the Qur'an is not static or monotonous.
In 'Uyun akhbar al-Rida,
from Imam Ridha (peace be upon him), it is quoted that Imam Ja'far Sadiq (peace
be upon him) was asked about the secret of it that as the time passes and
the more it is read and recited, the Qur'an increases in its novelty and freshness
day by day. The Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) answered: "Because the
Qur'an is not for an exclusive age or for an exclusive people".
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