Fussilat (Explained in detail)

41. Indeed, those who disbelieved in the Reminder [the Holy Qur’an] when it came unto them [shall be chastised]. And indeed, it is an honorable [well-fortified respected] Book.

42. Falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it; [it is] sent down by the All-Wise, Worthy of all praise.

43. Nothing is said unto you [O Muhammad!] except what was said unto the Messengers before you. Verily, your Lord is the Possessor of Forgiveness and the Possessor of excruciating chastisement.

The Holy Qur’an reminds man of his neglect and negligence.

The title:

‘Aziz (“honorable”)

is exclusively employed to refer to the Holy Qur’an from amongst Scriptures.

The blessed Verses are addressed to all polytheists and disbelievers who regard the Holy Qur’an as encompassing magic and falsehood and also those who do not believe in some of Qur’anic Injunctions, e.g. usury, murder, adultery, and calumnious accusation and slander as well as Divine Commands as to one-fifth tax and pilgrimage to Mecca, and act against them.

It also addresses those who subjectively interpret Qur’anic Verses like those regarding the Guardianship, Infallibility, and Purity of Ahl al-Bayt (Prophet’s family).

Verse 42 is saying that Falsehood cannot find its way into it from any side, that is, there are no contradictions in its form, i.e., words, nor are they any falsity in it. No alteration may find its way into it.

There is neither decrease nor increase in it. It is well fortified and serves as the Argument for all responsible for their religious duties to the Day of Resurrection. Another Qur’anic Verse¹ makes a reference to the same:

“Indeed, it is We Who have sent down the Reminder and truly We will guard it [from distortion and corruption attempted by disbelievers and the envious].”

According to traditions narrated from Imam Baqir (as) and Imam Sadiq (as), there are no falsity in Qur’anic Verses concerning the past events and the prognostications about future.

It is said in a tradition narrated from Imam Baqir (as) that there is no point in Scriptures like the Bible to abrogate the Qur’an nor will there be any book in the future to do the same;

(“Falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it”).2

Thus the Holy Qur’an stays unaltered in the face of passage of the time and falsehood may not penetrate into it, since it is descended from the Origin of Wisdom which is Firm as a consequence of which it stands unchanged at all times.

Verse 43 is a consolation to the Noble Prophet (S) as to disbelievers’ accusations who called him by terms like magician, liar, poet, augur, soothsayer, and lunatic.

It is said unto the Prophet (S) that his predecessors were also the subject of false accusations and indeed his Lord is Oft-Forgiving and Merciful toward the repentant and He is also the Possessor of excruciating torment and chastisement against disbelievers and enemies of religion.