nor those to whom he was sent, then this is far more objectionable than its being in a foreign language. Since Allah Most High has made clear that He does not do the former, it follows all the more certainly that He would not do the latter.

The eighteenth is His saying, Most High:

“This is a blessed Book which We have sent down to you, so that they may reflect upon its verses and those of understanding may take heed (29).” [Sād 29]

It is well known that reflecting upon its verses and taking heed, for those of understanding, are possible only if it can be understood and its meaning known. Without that, they are impossible.

The nineteenth is that the Quran consists of verses, and a verse is a sign and an indication. It is a sign and an indication only if it points to something and makes it known. Whatever serves as evidence, an indicator, or a sign can be used to infer and ascertain what it points to. Whatever does not allow this is neither an indication nor speech. Thus, that from which no meaning can be understood or inferred is not among Allah’s signs and cannot be part of His revealed speech.

The twentieth is His saying, Most High:

“Our Messenger has come to you, making clear to you much of what you used to conceal of the Scripture, and overlooking much. There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book (15). He guides