When He had informed us that the unseen of the heavens and the earth belongs to Him Most High, and that no created being has access to it except through what He makes known to His servants—and since this Quran contains much knowledge of the unseen—He commanded that full attention be devoted to it, saying:

(27) “Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book of your Lord. None can change His words, and you will never find any refuge besides Him.”

Recitation means following. That is: follow what Allah has revealed to you by learning and understanding its meanings, believing its accounts, and complying with its commands and prohibitions. It is the glorious Book whose words none can change: they can neither be altered nor replaced, because of their truth and justice and because their excellence surpasses every limit. “The word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and justice.” Because His words are perfect, alteration and replacement are impossible; had they been deficient, they—or some part of them—would have been susceptible to this. This magnifies the Quran and, at the same time, encourages wholehearted devotion to it.

“And you will never find any refuge besides Him.” That is, besides your Lord you will find no shelter to which you may flee and no sanctuary in which you may seek protection. Since it is thus established that He alone is the refuge in every matter, it necessarily follows that He alone must be worshipped and sought in ease and hardship, that all are dependent upon Him in every circumstance, and that He is to be asked for every need.