15. Surah Al Hijr [late Meccan]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
الَرَ...
15:1. Alif Lam Ra.
C1932. For these mystic letters, see Introduction to Surah 10.
...تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ ...
These are the Ayats of Revelation --
... وَقُرْآنٍ مُّبِينٍ ﴿١﴾
of a Qur'án that makes things clear.
C1934. Note how appropriately the different phrases in which the Quran is characterized bring out its different aspects as a Revelation.
Let us just consider the phrases used at the beginning of the six Alif Lam Mim Surahs of which this is the last in order of arrangement.
- In 10:1 we read, "Ayats (or verses or Signs) of the Book of Wisdom",
the theme being the wonders of Allah's creation, and its relation to His Revelation.
- In 11:1 we read, "a Book, with verses basic or fundamental, further explained in detail":
the theme is Allah's Justice and punishment, to preserve the fundamental scheme of His Laws.
- In 12:1 we read, "The Symbols verses of the Perspicuous Book";
the wonderful unfolding of Allah's Plan is explained in Joseph's story.
- In 13:1 we read, "The Signs (or verses) of the Book":
the contrasts in the modes of Allah's Revelation and its reception by man are pointed out, but not illustrated by detailed examples as in Joseph's perspicuous story.
- In 14:1 we read, "A Book revealed to lead out of darkness into light":
the theme being Abraham's prayer for man to be rescued from the darkness of false worship into the light of Unity.
- Here, in 15:1 we read, "Ayats (or verses) of Revelation,-of a Quran that makes things clear (or perspicuous)":
the theme being an explanation of evil, and how Allah's Truth is protected from it.
Other versions:
15: 1 [ late Meccan ]
Asad These are Messages of revelation – of a discourse clear in itself and clearly showing the truth.
Pickthall Alif. Lam. Ra. These are verses of the Scripture and a plain Reading.
Transliteration Alif La_m Ra_, tilka a_ya_tul kita_bi wa qur'a_nim mubin(in).
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