An Inquiry into the Far Demonstrative Pronouns in the Opening Verses of Some Surahs

Abstract

'Dhalik al-Kitab' (That Book) and other similar phrases at the opening verses of some Quranic Surahs have long been debated by Muslim commentators as to what these far demonstrative pronouns refer to. The present paper studies these phrases in the relevant Surahs through comparing them. It concludes that the meaning and referent of these phrases are not the existing Quran, but the Guarded Tablet and Divine knowledge. It seems that the reason for the revelation of such phrases was the doubts cast by polytheist audience on the origin of the Holy Quran, who said it was not revealed by God and angles; rather, it is satanic aspiration to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny). Ja'far Nekoonam[1] Fatimah Sarvi[2] [1] Associate professor of department of sciences of the Holy Quran and Hadith, University of Qom, [email protected] [2] Corresponding author, PhD graduate of comparative commentary, University of Qom, instructor of Farhangian University, [email protected]

Keywords

• dhalik al- kitab (that book)
• tilka ayatu al-kitab (those are the verses of the book)
• the guarded book
• divine origin of the holy quran