The Independent Authoritativeness of the Qur'an and the Clarification of Knowledge

Addressing whether the authority of explaining the Qur'an by the Qur'an is actual or conditional reveals a fundamental understanding of its inherently authoritative nature. The Qur'an, and by extension, insights derived from its self-exegesis, does not function as a mere fragment of proof or partial evidence reliant on external validation for its authority. Unlike the conditional authority attributed to the testimony of a single just person, the Qur'an's authority is actual and intrinsic.

Extrinsic sources, including the Sunnah, fundamentally derive their authoritative value from their alignment with the Qur'an. The Sunnah is deemed valid and authoritative primarily when its contents resonate with Qur'anic teachings, especially in cases where the Sunnah is not definitive. Thus, exegesis based on the Qur'an inherently possesses independent validity and authority, serving as a criterion for evaluating the Sunnah rather than being subject to it.

Consequently, the Qur'an's authority, akin to the acknowledged evidence provided by the testimony of two just persons, stands as actual, independent, and sufficient for argumentation. This underscores the Qur'an's unparalleled position in Islamic jurisprudence and theology, affirming its role as a self-sufficient source of divine guidance and legal foundation, capable of elucidating and validating religious knowledge without reliance on external sources.

The Qur'an stands independently in its authority and in defining the broad contours of religious knowledge. This means its authority is inherent, capable of elucidating its teachings autonomously, though external insights may serve as supplementary aids in grasping the Qur'an's depth. Nonetheless, to comprehend the Qur'an and derive insights from its apparent meanings, its readers require only a foundational understanding and a conscience unobscured by the shadows of sin.

The Qur'an's status as an independent authoritative source and the effectiveness of the exegetical approach of explaining the Qur'an by the Qur'an itself are demonstrated through several considerations:

First, as highlighted in the first chapter, the Qur'an proclaims itself as light:

There has come to you from God a light and a clear book (5:15);

And follow the light which has been sent down with it (7:179).

The quintessential attribute of light is its inherent luminosity and its capacity to illuminate others, requiring no external source for its brightness nor to enlighten surrounding objects.

The portrayal of the Qur'an as light implies it is self-sufficient in its clarity and in its role as a clarifier; if it were reliant on another source for elucidation, then that source would assume primacy over the Qur'an, contradicting the Qur'an's self-described nature as light.

Furthermore, the comprehensive understanding of Qur'anic teachings often emerges from the synthesis of multiple verses, a process unachievable through the examination of a single verse in isolation. The inherent light of the Qur'an dictates that verses related to a specific theme must be considered collectively, ensuring a complete and unambiguous understanding of its teachings, reinforcing the Qur'an's capacity to illuminate both itself and its readers.

Second, another defining attribute of the Qur'an is its comprehensive clarity:

And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things... (16:89)

As a text that elucidates all necessary knowledge for humanity and the realities of the universe, the Qur'an is self-sufficient in its exposition. Its structure allows for certain verses to illuminate others, negating the need for external clarification. The self-evidency of the Qur'an is foundational; without it, the text could not serve as a source of clarity for anything else.

It's important to distinguish that the claim of the Qur'an as a clarifier of all things does not imply that each individual verse independently explains every concept or itself. Instead, it signifies that the Qur'an, in its entirety, provides comprehensive clarity. This holistic approach ensures that any information not explicitly detailed in one verse is complemented by another, leading to a coherent and complete understanding when all verses are considered in relation to one another, both in their explicit wording and underlying meaning.

Third, the Qur'an not only encourages contemplation among its readers but also asserts its divine origin, affirming its freedom from any internal inconsistency or disharmony among its verses.

God highlights the Qur'an's internal coherence and the way its verses complement each other. This is articulated in the verse:

Do they not contemplate the Qur'an? If it had been from other than God, they would have found within it much contradiction. (4:82)

This invitation to reflect on a text that remains unified and consistent despite being revealed over nearly a quarter of a century, under various circumstances—war and peace, isolation and community, through prosperity and adversity, and across differing political, military, and social contexts—underscores its divine origin.

The logical construction of this verse, where the absence of contradiction negates the possibility of the Qur'an being from any source other than God, is not only a testament to the Qur'an's rhetorical depth but also affirms its self-sufficiency in establishing its authority and authenticity. This verse calls for an all-encompassing reflection on the Qur'an and asserts, in an unequivocally negative manner, the absence of any internal contradiction, treating the conclusion from such contemplation as evidence of this claim. This assertion of coherence serves as clear and convincing evidence of the Qur'an's divine authorship and is a principle that will be further explored in discussions on exegesis based on personal opinion.

The essence of the mentioned verses is to encourage a thorough contemplation of the entire Qur'an, asserting the claim of its internal consistency and the absence of any contradiction among its verses in an absolutely negative form. This approach positions the outcome of such comprehensive reflection as a validation of the Qur'an's claim, supported by clear and unequivocal evidence. (6)

The interconnectedness and mutual reinforcement of the Qur'an's verses are elucidated in the verse:

God has sent down the best discourse: a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of God. That is the guidance of God by which He guides whom He wills. And one whom God leaves astray—for him there is no guide. (39:23)

This verse highlights the Qur'an's uniformity and consistency, portraying its verses as akin and aligned, yet simultaneously serving to complement and elaborate on each other.

Describing the components of a scholarly work as complementary typically suggests that each section or part elucidates or further explicates another. Similarly, the Qur'an functions as its own expositor, where the content within provides explanations and clarifications, creating a cohesive and comprehensive understanding.

Note

This self-sufficiency in explication underscores the Qur'an's divine composition, where every verse not only harmonizes with but also enhances the meaning of others, contributing to the overarching narrative and guidance encapsulated within this sacred text.

The invitation to contemplate the Qur'an, noting its freedom from contradictions, stands as a powerful testament to its overall comprehensibility, its independent authority apart from other textual sources, and its self-explanatory nature. This also underscores the legitimacy of the method of explaining the Qur'an by the Qur'an itself. If the Qur'an's verses were isolated, each addressing distinct matters without interconnection, such as varying between general and specific directives, or lacking a mutual relationship of confirmation, clarification, and enhancement of meanings, then there would be no basis for agreement or disagreement among them, as both concepts presuppose interconnectedness.

However, the Qur'an's assertion that its verses are harmoniously interconnected implies a profound relationship and linkage between them. Asserting the absence of contradiction essentially denies the presence of discordant elements, suggesting an inherent cohesiveness. This harmony among verses implies that if the Qur'an required external aids for clarification, the argument presented by its internal consistency would be undermined. Hence, the Qur'an's self-clarification is integral to its message, affirming that it is a complete, standalone guide, capable of elucidating its teachings through its own verses.

To elucidate, if adversaries of the Qur'an allege the presence of contradictions within its text, and these doubts are not addressable via the Qur'an's explicit content or through the method of explaining the Qur'an by the Qur'an, resorting to external resolutions—such as interpretations by the Prophet (s.a.w.) that dispel perceived contradictions without direct Qur'anic basis—may not convince skeptics. These critics, who question the Prophet's infallibility and the truthfulness of his prophethood, are unlikely to be swayed by explanations that do not root directly in the Qur'anic text.

In essence, addressing alleged contradictions with solutions external to the Qur'an, such as through the Prophet (s.a.w.) without referencing Qur'anic verses, holds significance only for those who already acknowledge his prophethood and infallibility. The core target and intended recipients of the message in the discussed verse are precisely those skeptics—individuals who challenge the legitimacy of the Prophet's (s.a.w.) call, doubting his prophethood and infallibility, and who demand Qur'anic evidence for claims made. This highlights the importance of the Qur'an's self-sufficiency and its capacity to clarify and defend its integrity from within its own verses.