the theologians in the way of truth, it would be, in comparison with it, like the water taken up by a sparrow’s peck compared with the water of the sea. This is because the Quran is the truth and encompasses truth, veracity, justice, the just balance, equity, rectitude, and success. When it mentions monotheism and polytheism, commanding the former and prohibiting the latter, it sets forth decisive proofs of the soundness and beauty of monotheism, of its being the sole path to salvation, and of the ugliness and falsity of polytheism and its being the path to destruction—proofs that make this as evident to discerning insight as the sun at high noon.
When it issues the commands prescribed by the Sacred Law and encourages proper conduct and noble character, you see it alert enlightened minds to the indispensable benefits they contain—benefits people need in this life and the Hereafter—in a manner that establishes with certainty that (1) nothing could be better than them and that divine wisdom most emphatically requires their prescription.
When it prohibits forbidden, shameful, and vile things, it explains the corruption and harm they contain and the evil resulting from engaging in them. It also explains that Allah’s favor to people in forbidding these things, keeping them unsullied by them, honoring them, and raising them above involvement in them surpasses every other blessing. Thus, commanded acts contain (2) what promotes rectitude, while forbidden acts contain (3) sources of corruption.
When it takes up the argument against proponents of falsehood, exposes the specious claims of those who draw false resemblances, and demonstrates the invalidity of the doctrines of the misguided, then say what you will of its vindication of truth, crushing of falsehood, guidance of the lost, establishment of proof against the obstinate, and demonstration that falsehood cannot withstand even the slightest measure of truth. Rather, true to its name, falsehood is vain and has no reality. These are merely names by which they designate falsehood; when stripped bare, they are revealed as scattered dust.
You see it present rational proofs in the clearest and most concise terms, in a form safest from objection, refutation, and obscurity. It combines rational and transmitted evidence in a single statement, with concision that does not compromise the intended purpose. At other times, it sets the matter out in detail and marshals proofs, even a portion of which suffices to make the truth clear. All praise and thanks belong to Allah.
This, then, is a beneficial introduction, Allah willing. It should be traced through [all] its applications, and careful attention should be paid to every detailed instance of these themes. Whoever applies it to every verse he encounters will derive immense benefit from it. “That is Allah’s bounty, which He grants to whomever He wills. Allah is the Possessor of tremendous bounty.”