—and to ponder speech without grasping its meanings is impossible. Likewise the Almighty said: “Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’an so that you may reason” (Yusuf 12:2); and reasoning about speech necessarily includes understanding it.

Explanation

His words, “A blessed Book We have revealed to you so that they may contemplate its verses” (Sad 38:29) show that the Qur’an’s blessing lies in reciting it, reflecting on it, acting upon it, and in the influence it exerts on the heart—strengthening faith and deepening knowledge of Allah, His names, attributes, and rulings. Its blessing is also evident in the way it affected entire nations: through this Qur’an Allah opened up the eastern and western horizons of the earth. This, too, is part of its blessing. In the same way it bestowed upon those who hold fast to it honor, eminence, and prominence over every other people, and it grants its adherents sincerity of purpose, sound methodology, and happiness in this world and the next. In short, the blessings of this Qur’an are beyond enumeration.

His words, “so that they may contemplate its verses and that those endowed with insight may take heed,” contain lofty praise for the person who is reminded and admonished by the Qur’an; such a one is the possessor of “lub,” meaning a sound intellect.

His words, “Do they not then contemplate the Qur’an?” (Muhammad 47:24) urge reflection on the Qur’an, for Allah rebukes those who fail to do so. Similarly, His words, “Have they not pondered the Word?” (al-Mu’minun 23:68)—“the Word” here means the Qur’an. Recite as well His words: “Have they not reflected upon the Word? Or has there come to them that which never came to their forefathers of old? Or did they not recognize their Messenger, so they reject him?” (al-Mu’minun 23:68-69). Thus He mentions the Qur’an and He mentions the Sunnah: “Or did they not recognize their Messenger, so they reject him?” (al-Mu’minun 23:69).