The first is that the regular pattern of behaviour Allah has instilled in human beings requires them to attend to both the wording and the meaning of the Quran revealed to them. Indeed, their attention to its meaning must be even greater. It is well known that anyone who reads a book on medicine, arithmetic, grammar, jurisprudence, or any other subject must desire to understand it and grasp its meanings. How much more so those who read the Book of Allah Most High, revealed to them, through which Allah guided them and taught them to distinguish truth from falsehood, good from evil, guidance from misguidance, and right conduct from error!

Clearly, their desire to understand it and grasp its meanings must be the greatest of desires. Indeed, when a student hears a statement from a scholar, he wishes to understand it. How much more so those who hear Allah’s words from the one conveying them on His behalf! Moreover, it is well known that the Messenger’s desire—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—to teach them the meanings of the Quran was greater than his desire to teach them its wording. Knowing the wording without understanding its meanings does not achieve the intended purpose, for words are intended only to convey meaning.

(The second is that Allah, glorified and exalted be He, has urged them in numerous passages to reflect upon it, understand it, and follow it. As He Most High says:

“A blessed Book which We have sent down to you, so that they may reflect on its verses.”

He Most High also says:

“Do they not reflect upon the Quran, or are there locks upon their hearts?”

He Most High says:

“Have they not reflected upon the Word, or has something come to them that did not come to their forefathers?”

He Most High says:

“Do they not reflect upon the Quran? Had it been from anyone other than Allah, they would have found in it much inconsistency.”

Since He has urged the disbelievers and hypocrites to reflect upon it, it is clear that its meanings can be