وَالكِتابِ المُبينِ

By the manifest book.

EXEGESIS

The letter wāw at the beginning of this verse is a preposition of oath (ḥarf al-qasam).^{‎[1]Mizan, 18/83.} Thus, God swears By the manifest book. The book refers to the Holy Quran and could refer to either the whole Quran as a genus which encompasses that which has already been revealed as well as that which is yet to be revealed,^{‎[2]Alusi, 13/64.} or specifically those verses that had been revealed prior to this verse.^{‎[3]Ibn Ashur, 25/211.}

Alternatively, it may refer to the entire Quran as it exists in the mother-book (umm al-kitāb) before its revelation, as mentioned in verse 4.

Verses 1 and 2 of this chapter are replicated exactly in Sūrat al-Dukhān (44).

EXPOSITION

The Quran being manifest and clear can be understood in different ways. It makes guidance manifest and clear through its teachings, in that it makes other things manifest. This understanding is supported by the verse, We have sent down the book to you as a clarification of all things (16:89). Manifest could also mean that its contents are manifest and clear and leave no room for doubt, as in the verse, This book, in which there is no doubt, is guidance to the God-wary (2:2).^{‎[4]Mizan, 18/83.} Both of these meanings can be understood from the verse and thus the manifest book means the book that is itself clear and manifest, in terms of its words, language, structure, and meaning, and also that it makes the paths and means of guidance clear and manifest.^{‎[5]Amthal, 16/11; Makhzan, 12/5.}

Some have suggested that manifest here means that the Quran makes the permissible and the impermissible manifest, by clarifying God’s law (sharīʿah).^{‎[6]Tabrisi, 9/60.} However, this is just one instance of its quality as something that clarifies other things.

REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE

Rāzī suggests the possibility that perhaps kitāb (that which is written) here is not referring to the Quran but rather is a reference to the ability of writing, which is a skill that man has been blessed with and through which knowledge can be shared through generations.^{‎[7]Razi, 27/616.}

Some exegetes add that the Quran is manifest for those it was sent down to, i.e. the seventh-century Arabs, for it is composed in their language and style; or that its content becomes evident for everyone upon thoughtful reflection and contemplation.^{‎[8]Zamakhshari, 4/236; Alusi, 13/64.}

Some say that the reason why the Quran is called kitāb (that which is written) is because it was revealed to the Holy Prophet so that people may write it down, and thus the Muslims were commanded to transcribe that which was revealed. Based on this, this name foretells that the Quran would be written down in codices.^{‎[9]Ibn Ashur, 25/211.}

[1] Mizan, 18/83.
[2] Alusi, 13/64.
[3] Ibn Ashur, 25/211.
[4] Mizan, 18/83.
[5] Amthal, 16/11; Makhzan, 12/5.
[6] Tabrisi, 9/60.
[7] Razi, 27/616.
[8] Zamakhshari, 4/236; Alusi, 13/64.
[9] Ibn Ashur, 25/211.