(Discourse on the Avenues Through Which the Knowledge of the Interpretation of the Qur'an is Reached)

Abū Jaʿfar said: We have already spoken regarding the evidence that the Qur'an is entirely Arabic, and that it was revealed in the dialects of some Arabs to the exclusion of others, and that the recitation of the Muslims today—and their codices that are among them—are in some of the dialects in which the Qur'an was revealed, not all of them. We have also spoken—in clarifying what the Qur'an contains of light, proof, wisdom, and clear explanation (1) which God has deposited within it: of His commands and prohibitions, His lawful and prohibited matters, His promises and threats, its decisive and ambiguous verses, and the subtleties of His wisdom—what is sufficient for whomever is granted success to understand it.

We shall now speak to clarify the avenues for seeking its interpretation:

God, Exalted is His mention and Sanctified are His names, said to His Prophet Muḥammad, Peace and blessings of God be upon him: {And We revealed to you the message that you may make clear to the people what was sent down to them and that they might give thought} [Sūrat al-Naḥl: 44]. He also said, Exalted is His mention: {And We have not revealed to you the Book except for you to make clear to them that wherein they have differed and as guidance and mercy for a people who believe} [Sūrat al-Naḥl: 64]. And He said: {It is He who has sent down to you the Book; in it are decisive verses—they are the foundation of the Book—and others ambiguous. As for those in whose hearts is deviation, they will follow that of it which is ambiguous, seeking discord and seeking an interpretation. And no one knows its interpretation except God. But those firm in knowledge say, "We believe in it. All of it is from our Lord." And no one will be reminded except those of understanding} [Sūrat Āl ʿImrān: 7].

Thus, it has become clear by the clarification of God, Exalted is His mention: