what He has testified to. His testimony is known through the signs by which He demonstrated the Messenger’s truthfulness. Whoever gains knowledge through this approach does not need to examine the observable signs that indicate that the Quran is true. Rather, he may know this through the evidence by which he came to know that the Messenger is truthful in what he reports concerning Allah’s testimony and speech.

Likewise, He mentioned the revealed Book, saying:

“And do not argue with the People of the Book except in the best manner, except with those among them who act unjustly,”

and the subsequent verses, through His words:

“except the wrongdoers.”

He thus made clear that the Quran consists of clear signs within the hearts of those who have been given knowledge. It is among the greatest clear signs demonstrating the truthfulness of the one who brought it. It brings together signs that are not found together in anything else: it is the call and its proof, the evidence and what that evidence establishes, and the judgment. It is the claim and the evidence for that claim, the witness and what is testified to.

As for His words:

“within the hearts of those who have been given knowledge,”

whether this means that it is clear within their hearts, that it is preserved within their hearts, or both—which is the correct understanding—it is indeed preserved within the hearts of the learned and clear within their hearts: they know that it is true. As He says:

“Those who have been given knowledge see that what has been sent down to you from your Lord is the truth.”

And He says:

“Is one who knows that what has been sent down to you from your Lord is the truth like one who is blind?”

“And so that those who have been given knowledge may know that it is the truth from your Lord