One of the unique characteristics of the holy Qur’an is its comprehensiveness. Researchers of this heavenly scripture have presented different ideas and everyone has given analyses on various topics. They have raised different criteria for proving Qur’an’s comprehensiveness.

 When we want to study a book of a writer usually we first study his personality and scientific status especially among the experts of that particular branch of science. Then we express our opinion on his work. The same principle is true about the holy Qur’an. Whose work is this book and who has sent it down? Thus, we have to take care that the Qur’an has been sent down by God who is the absolute symbol of knowledge, wisdom, insight and power. He is aware of every mystery and minutiae in the universe. He is far from the minutest defect. One of the most important criteria for comprehensiveness of Qur’an is that it has been sent down from the Lord of the worlds as it is mentioned in many ayahs of this Book. This Lord has the control of everything and He is the Owner and Administer of the entire creation. He is the Being who provides the ground for thriving of talents and leading every creature towards perfection and the aim for which that creature has been created. In view of this the Lord of all the worlds addressing His Apostle says in part of ayah 89 of surah Nahl, “We have sent down the Book as a clarification of all things and as a guidance and mercy and good news for those who Muslims.” Part of ayah 38 of surah An’am also reads, “We have not omitted anything from the Book.”  

Both these ayahs refer to the comprehensiveness of the holy Qur’an. Who can speak in this way except the Creator of the universe? It is only He that is aware of every minute mystery of creation.

Nothing is beyond the domain of knowledge of the Creator and His knowledge encompasses each and every being everywhere. It is only He who can set the rules for perfection and growth of His creatures including human being. In the beginning of surah Hud, God says, “A Book whose signs have been made definitive and then elaborated from the All-wise, All-aware.”

Three characteristics have been stressed in this ayah. First, the ayahs of the Qur’an are definitive and firm. Secondly, they are elaborated to clarify every topic. Thirdly, they have come from the One who is All-wise and All-aware. Imam Hussein (AS) introduces the holy Qur’an, saying, “The Book of the All-mighty and Exalted God has four levels: phrases, references, delicacies and realities. The phrases are for ordinary people. The references are for the special servants. The delicacies are for the friends of God and the realities are for the Messenger.”

This hadith means that the Qur’an is so comprehensive that it provides messages for every stratum of society. Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) said, “If you want to enjoy the life of the triumphant, the death of the martyrs, and the salvation on the day in which people regret; and enjoy the divine mercy on the scorching heat of Judgment Day and being guided on the day when everybody is astray and perplexed, acquire the Qur’an for it is the Word of the Compassionate God and a fortress and shield for being immune against Satan and the cause of preference and superiority in the divine balance.”

RM/SS