Ayat Allah (Quran)

One of the names and attributes of the Quran, as mentioned within the Quran itself, is “Ayat” (verses), which appears in three forms:

1. In some cases, “Ayat” is attributed to “Allah,” such as: “And how can you disbelieve while the verses of Allah are recited to you…” (Al Imran 101).

2. Sometimes, the verses are described with the word “bayyinat” (clear proofs), such as: “And We have certainly sent down to you clear verses” (Al-Baqarah 99).

“And We have certainly sent down to you clear verses” (Al-Baqarah 99).

3. In other instances, the verses are described with the word “mubayyinat” (clarifying), such as: “And We have certainly sent down to you clarifying verses…” (Nur 34).

Fakhr Razi mentioned three reasons for naming the Quran “Ayat Allah” (verses of Allah), “Ayat Bayyinat” (clear verses), and “Ayat Mubayyinat” (clarifying verses):

1. Ayat means a guide and indicator. When the parts of the Quran, due to their eloquence and rhetoric, indicate the truth of the claim of prophethood, the entire Quran can be an Ayat.

2. Some verses of the Quran speak of unseen news and establish unseen matters; thus, the Quran is an Ayat, a sign, and a miracle.

3. The Quran contains proofs of monotheism, prophethood, and divine law; therefore, the Quran is an Ayat and a sign in this regard.

It can also be said that all phenomena in the creation are Ayat and signs of God’s knowledge and power. The Quran, being the highest sign of God’s knowledge and power and a miracle that no one can replicate, is called “Ayat Allah.” And since these Ayat are clear and enlightening, they are described as Ayat Bayyinat and Mubayyinat, which clearly explain truth and falsehood, guidance and misguidance to people. [1]

1. Al-Tafsir al-Kabir, vol. 3, p. 199; Al-Tafsir al-Kabir, vol. 23, p. 222; Al-Tafsir al-Kabir, vol. 24, p. 19; Majma’ al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Quran, vol. 1, p. 168; Quran Shenasi, vol. 1, p. 33.