( وَهَٰذَا) (And this): Refers to the Holy Quran. Usually, we use (this) to refer to something that was mentioned previously. When we say: (and this) we are talking about a specific thing with nothing else coming to mind other than it, likewise, only the Holy Quran would come to our mind because of the greatness of the Book of Allah (swt).

( كِتَابٌ) (is a Book): The Holy Quran is persevered in writing and within the hearts. This Holy Book was written down after it was memorized and preserved in the hearts of those who memorized it.

( أَنزَلْنَاهُ ) (We have revealed): The revelation comes from Allah (swt) through Angel Gabriel, peace be upon him. Allah (swt) says:

  إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ

(Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn [mankind].) (Ad-Dukhan: 3)

( مُبَارَكٌ ) ([which is] blessed): The most used description in the Book of Allah (swt) is (blessed). It contains more goodness and benefit than expected, and its miracles never end. Every person who read the Holy Quran a thousand year ago till now and in the future, will benefit from it, until Allah (swt) will inherit the earth and everything on it. If we were to compare this with a portion of food that is enough for a couple of people but then ten people eat from it, we say that this food is blessed, because it gave a lot despite its small amount. Such as the bestowments of the Holy Quran correspond to the human mind at all times and people take from it what suit their intellect. Whether we read it in the twenty first, second, third or fourth century, we will find that every word in this Holy Book of Allah’s (swt) correlates to the capabilities and abilities of our minds and what we have encompassed of sciences and modern discoveries, without finding any contradiction between them and the Holy Quran, because these words were dictated from Allah (swt) to His Messenger Mohammad (saws), and its wonders never perish. There is a Hadith narrated to us by Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (saws) said:

“Dissension will certainly come,” he said: I said, ‘how could it be avoided?’, to which he replied, “God’s Book is the way, for it contains information of what has happened before you, news of what will happen after you, and a decision regarding matters which occur among you. It is the distinguisher and is not jesting. If any overweening person abandons it God will break him, and if anyone seeks guidance – or said: knowledge – elsewhere God will lead him astray. It is God’s strong cord, it is the wise reminder, it is the straight path, it is that by which the desires do not swerve nor the tongues become confused, and the learned cannot grasp it completely. It does not become worn out by repetition and its wonders do not come to an end.”[1]

 ( فَاتَّبِعُوهُ ) (so follow it): This is in imperative form, it is blessed so follow it, it is not enough to just read it. We should also do what it says because it contains orders and prohibitions. Since worshiping Allah (swt) requires obeying Him (swt), it is a way for us to demonstrate our love for Allah (swt).

“Disobeying the Lord while showing that you love Him,

I swear by my life that this truly is a thing of wonder.

If your love is true, you should obey him,

For those who love, obey their beloved.”

We say that we love Allah (swt) and the Holy Quran, but then why do we lie if we are ordered in the Holy Quran to be honest? How do we speak ill of people behind their backs but still say that we love Allah (swt)? How can we say that and still take bribes, or kill human beings, or cheat, or harm our neighbors?

( وَاتَّقُوا ) (and fear Allah): We should fear Allah (swt) for He is Severe in punishment, the Avenger, the Ever-Compeller, and the Ever-Subduing (swt).

( لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ) (that you may receive mercy): If we do not fear Allah (swt), then how can we expect to receive mercy and Divine Bestowments? How would Allah (swt) show us mercy on Doomsday if we disobey Him (swt)?

[1] Shu’aab Al-Iman, the nineteenth, the Chapter on Glorifying the Quran, Hadith No. 1935.