for they can never make it deviate, for it is guidance.

And his words, “nor do tongues become confused by it,” mean that nothing in it causes entanglement or obscurity, for it was revealed in lucid, classical Arabic; accordingly, no tongue can become muddled in its recitation. Even a non-Arab who reads it must do so in Arabic. For this reason a strictly literal, word-for-word translation of the Quran is simply impossible.

He also says, “nor does repeated recitation wear it out.” The verb “yakhlAQ” (to wear out) here means to grow old and tatty. The Quran, however, forever retains its freshness; no matter how many times a person repeats it, it is as though he is reading it for the very first time. By contrast, were one to repeat the most eloquent of Arab poems—one of the seven Muʿallaqāt, for instance—or the finest sermon ever delivered as often as the Quran is recited, he would soon feel bored and weary. Yet we may recite certain passages of the Quran several times in a single prayer and still never tire of them. This is one of Allah’s signs in this Noble Quran.

Next he says, “its marvels never come to an end.” Indeed, its wonders are inexhaustible for the one to whom Allah grants understanding of His Book; such a person savors within it innumerable profound meanings. As for the one who turns away, he may see in it not a single marvel. Here we are describing the Quran in and of itself, irrespective of who happens to be reading it.

***

Scholars can never have their fill of it: whoever speaks by its authority speaks the truth; whoever acts upon it earns a reward; whoever judges by it is just; whoever calls to it is guided to a straight path; whoever, out of arrogance, abandons it, Allah will break him; and whoever seeks guidance elsewhere, Allah will lead him astray.

Commentary

All of these qualities are real and recognizable to anyone who reflects, for scholars never become satiated