understood and known by disbelievers and hypocrites. How, then, could this not be possible for the believers? This shows that its meanings were known and clear to them.

The third is that He Most High says:

“Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran so that you may understand.”

He Most High also says:

“Indeed, We have made it an Arabic Quran so that you may understand.”

He thus explains that He revealed it in Arabic so that they might understand, and understanding is possible only with knowledge of its meanings.

(The fourth is that He censured those who do not understand it. He Most High says:

“When you recite the Quran, We place a hidden barrier between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter.”

“And We place coverings over their hearts, preventing them from understanding it, and deafness in their ears.”

He Most High also says:

“What is the matter with these people that they can hardly understand any speech?”

If the believers likewise did not understand it, they would share with the disbelievers and hypocrites the very failing for which Allah Most High censured them.

(The fifth is that He censured those whose listening amounts to no more than hearing the sound, without understanding the meaning or following it. He Most High says:

“The example of those who disbelieve is like that of one who calls out to what hears nothing but calls and cries. Deaf, dumb and blind, they do not understand.”

He Most High also says:

“Or do you think that most of them hear or understand? They are only like cattle; rather, they are even further astray.”

He Most High also says:

“Among them are those who listen to you, but when they leave your presence, they say to those who have been given knowledge, ‘What did he say just now?’ Those are the ones whose hearts Allah has sealed and who follow their own desires.”

And there are other similar passages.