But whoever turns toward it, reflects on its meanings, and ponders them with sound understanding and a sincere aim, untainted by caprice, will be guided by it to every objective and, through it, will attain every lofty and desirable goal.

• It has been described as a mercy—that is, the religious, worldly, and other-worldly good that results from following the Quran. Accordingly, the more a person is guided by it, the greater his share of mercy, goodness, happiness, and success.

• It has been described as a light, because it sets forth and clarifies beneficial knowledge and perfect truths, and through it the servant emerges from every darkness—the darkness of ignorance, unbelief, sin, and misery—into the light of knowledge, certainty, faith, obedience, and the various forms of right guidance.

• It has been described as a healing for what is in the breasts, a description that includes every disease of the heart. The Quran diagnoses those diseases and points out the means by which they may be removed and cured. It lists the diseases of ignorance, doubts, and confusion, their causes, and the way to eradicate them through beneficial knowledge, genuine certainty, and following the sound paths that eliminate such ailments. It likewise mentions the diseases of lusts and waywardness, explains their causes, signs, and harmful effects, and prescribes the remedies for them: admonition, [reminders] (1), encouragement and deterrence, weighing matters against one another, and giving precedence to that whose immediate and lasting benefit is superior.