some Muslims those who cannot properly recite this noble surah. Indeed, some may make recitational errors that distort its meaning or compromise its import; or you may find among them those who pay no attention to reflecting deeply upon it, comprehending it, grasping its meanings, and recognizing their implications. All of Allah’s believing servants are duty-bound to venerate this noble surah, appreciate its true worth, and recite it as it ought to be recited. It is the greatest of the Quran’s surahs, the most binding upon the Muslim community, the most comprehensive of all that the servant needs, and the most universally beneficial.

Ibn al-Qayyim—may Allah have mercy on him—said: “By Allah, you will find no corrupt doctrine or false innovation without the Opening of the Book containing its refutation and invalidation by the most direct, soundest, and clearest methods. Nor will you find any branch of knowledge concerning Allah, any deed of the heart, or any remedy for its maladies and diseases without the Opening of the Book containing its key and an indication of it. Nor is there any station traversed by those journeying to the Lord of the worlds without both its beginning and its end being found therein. By Allah, its significance is even greater than that—it surpasses all of that. No servant has ever made its truths a reality in his life, held fast to it, understood it as intended by the One who spoke it and revealed it as a perfect cure, complete protection, and a clear light, and duly understood it and all that it entails, yet fallen into religious innovation or polytheism, or been afflicted by any disease of the heart, except for a fleeting touch that did not take root.”1

With this, we come to the end of what was intended to be explained here, praising Allah and extolling Him as He deserves and as He has extolled Himself—with praise that can never be rendered in full, never be denied or abandoned, and never be dispensed with, O our Lord.