وَلَقَد يَسَّرنَا القُرآنَ لِلذِّكرِ فَهَل مِن مُدَّكِرٍ
Certainly We have made the Quran simple for the sake of admonishment. So is there anyone who will be admonished?
EXEGESIS
The lām in laqad (certainly) is to indicate an oath and the verse thus reads: I swear, We have certainly made the Quran simple …[1]
Yassarnā (we have made simple); the verb yassara means to make something easy, such that it does not involve too much difficulty.[2]
The question So is there anyone who will be admonished? is obviously a rhetorical one and has been said to give the meaning of command, i.e. one must take admonishment from it.[3]
EXPOSITION
This verse, like the previous one, is continuously repeated throughout this chapter, after recounting the plight of every nation who rejected their prophet.
The Quran has been made easy for anyone who wants to take admonishment. The question is, how exactly has it been made easy? According to Subḥānī, the following factors have made the Quran easy, from which to gain admonition:
- The eloquence of its words and the beauty of its expressions.
- The expressiveness of its lofty meanings.
- The precise ordering and structuring of its words.
- The unique nature of its forms of expression that cannot be compared to any other literary work.
- The similarity and rhyming nature of similar verses, especially in Meccan chapters.[4]
Due to these factors, when the verses are recited to an open heart, especially in a captivating tune, the heart is overtaken by awe and man can feel internal changes within him, enough to shake him from his core.
Another manner in which the Quran has been made easy for the sake of admonishment can be understood from the following verses, whereby the same verb has been used: Indeed We have made it simple (yassarnāhu) in your language, so that they may take admonition (44:58); Indeed We have made it simple (yassarnāhu) in your language so that you may give good news thereby to the God-wary and warn with it a disputatious lot (19:97). These verses highlight the aspect of the Quran being revealed in the Arabic language, thus allowing mankind to comprehend its content and benefit from its guidance, as opposed to its original pristine and elevated state, which is not comprehendible by man (43:3-4).[5] Some exegetes have suggested that these verses not only indicate that this easiness refers to the Arabic language alone, but rather your language (bi-lisānika) means that Prophet Muhammad (s) also had a role in easing the Quran by reciting it to the people and then explaining its teachings in a clear manner:[6] We have sent down the reminder to you so that you may clarify for the people that which has been sent down to them, so that they may reflect (16:44).
Exegetes have also mentioned that the easiness of the Quran in giving admonition is due to the fact that it is full of parables and advices of different kinds.[7] Furthermore, its contents are in line with human nature (fiṭrah) and thus are easily acceptable to all.[8]
REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE
It has been suggested that dhikr means to remember and thus the Quran has been made easy to memorise. This is due to its succinct verses, rhythmic tone, and sweet expressions.[9] This is in contrast to the other divine books that could not be easily memorised.[10]
[1] Mizan, 19/70; Tibyan, 9/449.
[2] Tabrisi, 9/286.
[3] Jawhar, 6/118; Suyuti, 1/532.
[4] Munyah, 27/198.
[5] Mizan, 14/117.
[6] Furqan, 18/385-386.
[7] Safi, 5/101.
[8] Qaraati, 9/353.
[9] Daqaiq, 12/540.
[10] Razi, 29/300; Zamakhshari, 4/436.