whose verses have been set out in detail—an Arabic Quran for people who know, bringing good tidings and warning,” up to His words: “and between us and you is a barrier.”

If much or most of the Quran were beyond anyone’s understanding, then only part of it could be reflected upon and understood. This contradicts what the Quran indicates, particularly concerning most of what the polytheists denied: verses conveying information, reports about the Last Day or Paradise and Hell, the denial that Allah has partners or children, and His being named the Most Merciful. Their objections were therefore mostly to what He told them about Allah’s attributes—both what is denied of Him and what is affirmed of Him—and what He told them about the Last Day. Allah has censured those who do not understand, comprehend, or reflect upon these things.

It is thus clear that Allah commands people to understand these things and reflect upon them. He, Most High, says:

“And among them are those who listen to you. But can you make the deaf hear, even though they do not understand? And among them are those who look at you. But can you guide the blind, even though they do not see?”

And He says:

“And among them are those who listen to you, but We have placed coverings over their hearts lest they understand it, and deafness in their ears,” to the end of the verse.

And He, Most High, says:

“When you recite the Quran, We place between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter a hidden barrier. And We place coverings over their hearts lest they understand it, and deafness in their ears,” to the end of the verse.

Some have argued that Allah has never denied anyone other than Himself knowledge of anything