that way out from it as a salvation. Likewise, if he is saved from it, he has been granted victory over whoever sought evil against him in it, and a separation has been made between him and the one who sought evil against him.

So all that we have narrated—from whomever we narrated it—regarding the meaning of "al-Furqān" is a statement correct in meaning, due to the agreement of the meanings of their expressions in that.

And the root of "al-Furqān" according to us is: the differentiating between two things and the separating between them. And that can be by a judgment, a rescue, an establishing of proof, a victory (1), and other such meanings that separate between the one upon truth and the one upon falsehood. Thus it has become clear thereby that the Qurʾān was named "Furqān" because of its separating—by its proofs, its evidences, the boundaries of its obligations, and all other aspects of its wisdom—between the one upon truth and the one upon falsehood. And its criterion between them is: by its aiding the one upon truth and forsaking the one upon falsehood, as a ruling and a judgment.

As for the interpretation of its name which is "Kitāb" (Book): it is a verbal noun from your saying "katabtu kitāban" (I wrote a writing), just as you say: "qumtu qiyāman" (I stood a standing), and "ḥasibtu al-shayʾa ḥisāban" (I calculated the thing a calculation). And al-Kitāb: it is the writer's penning of the letters of the alphabet, joined and separate. And it was named "Kitāb", though it is actually "maktūb" (that which is written), just as the poet said in the verse we cited as evidence: And in it is a writing like glue that sticks fast meaning by it that which is written.

As for the interpretation of its name which is "Dhikr" (Reminder), it bears two meanings: One of them: that it is a reminder from God, Exalted be His Mention, wherewith He reminded His servants, making known to them therein His boundaries, His obligatory duties, and all that He deposited therein of His wisdom. The other: that it is a honor, nobility, and pride for whoever believes in it and accepts as true what is in it, as He, Exalted be His Praise, said: {And indeed, it is a reminder for you and for your people} [Sūrat al-Zukhruf: 44], meaning by it that it is an honor for him and for his people.