As a reminder, it was said that the holy Qur’an has names such as book, light, mercy, wise and so on. In this episode we will get familiar with other names and epithets of this Book.

Another name of the holy Qur’an is Forqan (Criterion). This book is indeed a criterion and differentiator of right and wrong and truth and falsehood. In many junctures, especially when social, political and cultural crises take place, it is difficult to discern between what is right and what is wrong. Imam Ali (Peace upon him) says in one of the fifth sermon of Nahj al-Balagha, “If truth and falsehood appear in their real face no one will make a mistake in recognizing them. Part of truth is taken and mixed with falsehood and people face serious problem in distinguishing truth and falsehood. In such a row Satan dominates over his friends and drags them astray.”

The most important means for being immune from falling into problematic seditions is to take refuge in Qur’an. That’s why it is called Forqan meaning the separator of truth from falsehood, light from darkness, faith from unfaith and awareness from ignorance. In the first ayah of surah Forqan we read, “Blessed is He who sent down the Criterion to His servant that he may be a warner to all the worlds.”

Another name of the Qur’an is Hoda (guide). Human being faces many precipices on his way toward perfection and his journey to God. Therefore, he needs loving and aware leaders and guides. The human intellect is a good tool but it doesn’t suffice. In view of this, human being needs heavenly revelation and divine emissaries to show him the right path and warn him of the pitfalls and dangers on his way. The holy Qur’an, as the final Scripture sent down by God Almighty, is the best guide for human being. In ayah 185 of surah Baqara, God says, “The month of Ramadhan is one in which the Qur’an was sent down as guidance to mankind, with manifest proofs of guidance and the Criterion.”

According to the Islamic culture, human being is responsible before God, himself and society. He is in need of advice not to go astray from the right path. It is narrated that Imam Ali (AS) would tell the people, “Advise me.”

The holy Qur’an, too, stresses this issue. Hence, one of the names of this holy Book is Mow’idha (Advice). It means that the holy Qur’an awakens human being from the negligence and ignorance. Ayah 57 of surah Yunus reads, “O people! There has certainly come to you an advice from your Lord, and a cure for what is in the hearts, and a guidance and mercy for the faithful.”

Zikr (reminder or admonisher) is another name of the holy Qur’an. Sometimes advice is not effective. Thus, it is the time for reminding of ideological, moral, cultural and social duties. This is so important that God orders the Prophet, “So admonish for you are only an admonisher.”

Part of ayah 44 of surah Nahl also reads, “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.”

If advising and admonishing are not effective and useful it is the time to warn. The divine messengers and saints used to guide the people through enlightening them with promises of good news. If this way was not effective they would resort to warning. The holy Qur’an tells the Prophet to say to the people, “this Qur’an has been revealed to me that I may warn thereby you and whomever it may reach.”

This shows that the holy Qur’an not only warns not only Muslims but the whole human community. Ayah 1 of surah Forqan more expressly notes this point, “Blessed is He who sent down the Criterion to His servant that he may be a warner to all the worlds.”

The last name of the holy Qur’an that we discuss in this episode is Shefa (Cure) According to the teachings of the holy Qur’an, if advising, reminding and warning are not effective, then it’s the turn of curing. When the individual or the society has gone astray to the extent that it has plunged in immorality and decadence then the leader(s) should embark on curing this disease. In ayah 82 of surah Isra, God says, “We send down in the Qur’an that which is a cure and mercy for the faithful.”

In ayah 57 of surah Yunus God says, “O mankind! There has certainly come to you an advice from your Lord, and a cure for what is in the breasts, and a guidance and mercy for the faithful.”

RM/SS