These are letters of the Arabic alphabets, and as we have explained in Note No.1 of Surah Baqarah, they hint at the special topics of the Surah. In this Surah, Alif points to Allah, or in other words towards the topics of monotheism which have occurred in various verses. Lam points to La Ilaha Il-Lallahu, that is towards those topics which negate polytheism. Similarly ‘Ra’ points to Rububiyat i.e. Lordliness (Godliness) that is towards the topics which deal with Allah being the supreme Lord, for example in Ayah No. 3 it is stated:

”That is Allah is your Lord”.

And in Ayah No. 32- it says: “That is Allah is your real Lord” When we say that these letters point towards special topics or specific topics of the Surah, we have not fixed any special or specific meaning of these letters, but that we only mean that they are mere pointers and that too in the context of the Surah only. This opinion about these letters is a safe proposition in as much as by adopting this line of thinking we are spared their wrong interpretations or saved from calling them some sort of a puzzle.

In the modern times of technological progress, some people having declared these letters as puzzle have given certain values to them according to Abjad and with the help of the computers have produced some startling mathematical results. Accordingly they have built up their argument, considering the figure 19 as very important on account of its occurring in Surah Al- Muddaththir:

“Over the Hell nineteen angels are appointed”, But this argument is thrown overboard when we consider that this figure nineteen has occurred in connection with the angels of Hell, therefore it is for consideration whether it is a means of blessing or a warning of doom. At another place in the Qur’an it is stated:

“That day eight angels will bear over them. Throne of your Lord” (Surah Al-Haqqah)

Then why the figure 8 should not be considered most important? The fact of the matter is that the figure 19 has some important significance in the Bahai religion. Accordingly the Bahais have only 19 days in a month and their year has 19 months. Therefore, to revolve the Quranic Ayaat around the figure 19 or to argue on the importance of figure 19 with the help of these letters is not only a far-fetched conclusion but also to provide support to strengthen the Bahai mischief. Furthermore this fad for mathematical calculation has led to the fixing of a specific date for the occurrence of the Doomsday. This exercise started with the attempt to prove Qur’an to be a miracle with the help of computer and eventually it led to fixing the date of the Doomsday while the Qur’an very categorically states that the date of the Doomsday is not known to anybody and that it will suddenly occur.

2. The meaning of Quran’s being a Book of Wisdom is that its message, the creed presented by it, and its interpretation of the historical events, besides its teachings, all have their roots deep into the human nature, and a healthy intellect accepts them.

This reality presented by Qur’an refutes the claim of the Godless people that the foundation of beliefs is based on intellectual backwardness or superstitions. Such an opinion can be true about other religious books but it cannot hold good in respect of Qur’an, but those whose intellect is sealed cannot distinguish between right and wrong.

3. In those days people thought it strange as to how Allah’s revelation could descend on a man, and for the people of the modern times the very concept of divine revelation is unacceptable. But Quran’s lifting of the veil from the secrets of the universe, its solving of those complicated problems of life which great intellectuals and philosophers could not tackle, and its providing perfect guidance to man and its presenting such teachings as are reasonable and based on moderation is an unambiguous proof of its being a revelation from God. The rejectors of faith have vexed eloquent in denying the divine revelation and have unreeled very lengthy philosophical discourses, but they have neither been able to lift the veils from the secrets of the universe nor have they succeeded in solving the problems of life. They have also not been able to provide guidance to mankind in its long sojourn on this planet. This is the reason why every theory refutes every other theory and every philosopher contradicts every other philosopher; But the divine revelation is altogether a different matter. It is based on eternal truths and those who presented it (Prophets) always presented only one reality, and the presenter of Qur’an is the last link in the same chain.

4. When the idolaters saw that even the best literary efforts of the most celebrated poets appeared to be lusterless in comparison to the wordings and teachings of Qur’an, and that it was continuing its conquests of hearts of the people, they could find no other argument but to say that it was merely a magic of words and this man (Prophet) is merely displaying wizardry of speech.

5. This has been explained in Note No.82, Surah A’raf.

6. This has been explained in Note No.83, Surah A’raf.

7. That is: There is no being that can interfere with the decisions that God takes or who can essentially obtain something from Him for some one, or who can intercede on behalf of some one with God without His prior permission.

It also refutes the false belief that has gained popularity among ignorant Muslims that a particular saint would solve their problem of salvation. Therefore, appeal for help should be made to that saint, and that a certain saint would get their sins pardoned, therefore, they should shout, till they get hoarse, their popular slogan about ‘not leaving the edge of the saint’s skirt.

8. When Allah is the Creator of the universe and its Ruler, then who else can be your Lord beside Him?

(For the explanation of the word ‘Rabb’ (Lord)’ please see Note No.4, Surah Fatiha.

9. That is: When Allah alone is your Lord, then He alone is worthy of being worshipped by you; believe in Him as your God and worship Him and remain His slave till the last. (For the explanation of worship, please see Note No.7, Surah Fatiha).

10. This is the positive aspect of the purpose for which man will be given the second life, and it is the main reason, that is: Allah should so reward His loyal slaves that they may have no want whatsoever.

11. That is: Those who rejected the dawah of Qur’an to worship Allah, as the one and only Lord.

12. In the text the word ‘Zia’ (brightness) is used for the sun and the word ‘Noor’ (light) for the moon, which bring out the difference between the two, that the sun has more powerful bright light while the moon has a soft illumination.

13. By the stages of the moon are meant the phases which are commonly observed by men. The moon appears to be revolving, and by her decreasing and regaining shape, she presents varying shapes which are called the moon’s phases. In other words the moon traverses one stage daily and completes her one round. The Quranic argument is based on these phases of the moon which are commonly observed.

14. These phases of the moon help in fixing or calculating the dates. (For further clarification. please see Note No.258, Surah Baqarah and Note No.70, Surah Taubah).

15. This organised system of the universe provides the evidence that this grand factory has been brought into existence by a Being who is Most Wise and the Best Administrator, because from every corner of the universe the perfection of wisdom and excellence of management is manifested, and it proves the purposefulness of this universe. The purpose which Qur’an attributes for the creation of the universe is harmonious with the wisdom which is evident everywhere in this universe. In short this system of the universe proves that its Master and Ruler will one day establish a court of justice and reward His loyal slaves handsomely and punish suitably the disobedient ones.

This is a very clear argument in favour of the occurrence of the Day of Judgment when reward and punishment will be declared and executed. Qur’an presents these arguments with a view to helping people understand the facts so that it may become easier for them to reach the right conclusion. In spite of this, the present day, materialists do not distinguish between Islam and other religions, and think the belief in the Hereafter is merely a belief (theory), which is not supported by any rational argument. If these people study the Qur’an with an open mind, they would realise that whenever Qur’an presents basic beliefs, its treatment and approach is argumentative and appealing to the heart and mind, therefore, its path is the path of intelligence and right thinking.

16. That is: Only those people can benefit from these signs who do not stick to their ignorant creeds but in the light of this knowledge try to search and find out truth in accordance with the spirit of research ingrained in man by nature.

17. Only those people receive guidance from these signs spread over in the universe who fear their Creator, because the recognition of the Creator is ingrained in men by nature, and having a concept of the ‘Creator’ definately creates His fear. But those who have mutilated their natures to such an extent that they do not realise that there is a Creator who has created them, such people have neither any fear of the Creator nor have they any capability left in them of receiving any guidance.

18. The present-day Godless and heretic people seem to be quite satisfied with the pleasures available in the world. They do not believe in the Hereafter. They believe in living for today. They are not pleased with moral progress. They seek pleasure from material progress. Their brain is a computer for the general knowledge about the worldly matters, but their heart is nothing more than a rusted machine for the matters concerning the Hereafter. Such people are very happy about their pleasant but misconstrued ideas. But how long?

19. Whatever work a man does, surely has its effect. A man may do good work or he may do evil work, its effect would essentially cling to him, as if it is his own earning. And this earning would appear before him in the form of the consequences.

20. What is stated is the fruit that faith (Eeman) will yield, and not that of mere creed (Aqeeda), because a creed is adopted by a man by dint of his being born in a Muslim household and on this account he remains a member of the Muslim society, while faith is an intellectual and conscious decision taken by man. As an electric bulb gives out light only when an electric current runs through it, in the same way creed manifests its effect when there is a spirit of faith in it.

Creed is the name of asserting the unseen realities while faith is that state of right belief which is heart-felt and is of firm conviction, which beautifies his inner self and gives him a special power to think and decide.

21. That is: The people of faith will not be so much absorbed in the pleasures of the Paradise that they would forget their Lord, but that they would be found praising and thanking their Lord for the blessings bestowed on them” Similarly when they would meet one another, they would not indulge in using foul language or back-biting as people in this world do, they would be desirous of each other’s well being, and they would greet each other with the prayerful greetings of ‘Peace’.

In sum the atmosphere in the Paradise will reverberate with the beautiful sounds of Allah’s praises and thanksgiving, and prayers for the well-being of the people. What an excellent atmosphere for the heart-felt inner peace and spiritual joys!