hints of the lack of futility and pointers of pre-eternal wisdom, and tokens of infinite divine mercy, and the explicit statements of the Truthful Prophet (UWBP), and the guidance of the miraculous Qur'an, all reveal eight doors and two windows through which the eye of the intellect may behold the gardens of bliss of the hereafter.

The Sixth Matter

The Sixth Matter

It is certain that what is attractive about Revelation is its miracuIous inimitability (i'caz). Its miraculousness is born of the high level of rhetoric and eloquence (belâgat; Ar. balāgha). Rhetoric is founded on linguistic figures and qualities, and particularly on metaphor and figurative language. Any person who does not look through the telescope of metaphor and figures of speech will be unable to perceive its qualities. For Revelation, which conveys the spring waters of the sciences of the styles of Arabic in order to bring its truths close to the minds of men, takes into consideration their understanding and shows regard and respect for their feelings, which is called divine condescension. At that time it was thus.

Qur'anic commentators should give the Qur'an its due and not diminish its value, nor interpret it with anything that does not bear the ratifying stamp of eloquence. For it is clearer and more obvious than any truth that just as the Qur'an's meanings are true, so are its manner of expression and ways of conveying meaning eloquent and elevated. So one who does not refer particulars to that source and mine is being niggardly in giving it its due. We shall point out one or two examples, since they attract attention.

First Example: "And We placed the mountains as pegs"(78:7), (God knows best what he intended). It is permissible that the figure of speech indicated here alludes to the following notion: the globe is like a submarine in the oceans of space and since, with its mountains planting masts or casting anchor, it merges with the air, its balance has been preserved. That is to say, the mountains resemble the ship's anchor and masts.

Secondly: The earth's inner revolutions and tremors are calmed through the mountains, for they are as though the earth's pores.