إِنَّهُ لَقُرآنٌ كَريمٌ

This is indeed a noble Quran.

EXEGESIS

The emphatic oath of the previous verses are followed by the description of the Quran as karīm. This signifies the importance of this quality and calls for a deeper look into the meaning of this term. In short, karīm involves the following meanings or elements: 1. It is the opposite of being abject, humiliated, and dishonourable (from the root h-w-n). Hence, karīm means noble and honourable. 2. It is specifically used in the Quran to describe beings or realities that are utterly pure, impeccable, and trustworthy. A few examples are God, His Throne, His messengers, His angels, and His perfect creation. 3. It could also mean – here, as well as in verse 44 – beneficial, good, and precious.

EXPOSITION

The exaggerated oath of the previous verses serves to emphasise four statements: 1. This is indeed a noble Quran. 2. It is In a covered book. 3. No one touches it except the pure ones. 4. It is Gradually sent down from the Lord of all the worlds. These four statements are all along the same line and reinforce one other. As mentioned in Exegesis, one can say that the last three statements elaborate and expound on This is indeed a noble Quran.

The solution to mankind’s weakness and loneliness in this world is to have recourse to the Quran, which is a source of guidance and security just as the (relatively) fixed stars are a source of guidance to the travellers. This book is a noble Quran, as opposed to what the disbelievers ascribe to God and His Messenger. It is not poetry (36:69, 52:30, 69:41), sorcery (34:43, 43:30, 61:6, 74:24), divination (69:42), nonsense (21:5, 52:29, 68:2), or fabricated speech (21:5, 34:43, 52:33). It then follows that if one wishes to achieve nobility, worth, and success, he must cling on and follow this noble book.^{‎[1]Qaraati, 9/442.}

REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE

Some exegetes have presented several meanings and interpretations for a noble Quran, based on the meanings and usages of the word karīm (noble) among people and in various contexts.^{‎[2]Zamakhshari, 4/469; Razi, 29/429-430; Qurtubi, 18/224; Alusi, 14/152.} However, what takes precedence to all such discussions is to see how the Quran itself defines the word karīm, and this was discussed under Exegesis.

[1] Qaraati, 9/442.
[2] Zamakhshari, 4/469; Razi, 29/429-430; Qurtubi, 18/224; Alusi, 14/152.