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Introduction to the study of the Qur'an (1)

By Rédaction soufisme.org · July 27, 2026 · 5 min read

Contents

“Learn the Qur’an, for it will come on the Day of Judgement as an intercessor for its companions.” (Hadith, reported by Muslim)

The Qur’an is the sacred book of Islam, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, may God’s peace and blessings be upon him, over a period of 23 years. It constitutes a fundamental source of spiritual, moral and legislative guidance for Muslims. More than a mere text, the Qur’an is perceived as a divine miracle in its form, its content and its impact.

“If men and jinn were to unite to produce something like this Qur’an, they could produce nothing like it, even if they helped one another.” (Surah al-Isra’, 17:88)

This verse highlights the unique and inimitable nature of the Qur’an, underlining its divine origin and the depth of its content. It invites us to meditate on the inimitability (i’jaz) of the Qur’an, a proof of its divine origin. This inimitability is manifested through:

This unique quality makes the Qur’an an object of study for Muslim scholars, many of whom have specialised in its exegesis.

The senses of the Qur’an according to Ibn ‘Ata’ Allah: outwardness and inwardness

Ibn ‘Ata’ Allah al-Iskandari (d. 1309), a great Sufi master and author of the celebrated Hikam (Aphorisms), deeply explored the spiritual dimension of the Qur’an. In his view, the Qur’an possesses a twofold nature.

The outward sense (zahir)

This sense is accessible to all, that is, to “those of the outward”. It comprises the explicit teachings, the laws and the historical narratives. This level is essential for guiding people in their moral conduct and religious practice.

The inward sense (batin)

This sense, reserved for “those of the inward”, is accessible to the Sufi masters and to those whose hearts God has opened to profound spiritual understandings. These esoteric meanings transcend the merely literal reading and offer a plunge into the spiritual and mystical dimension of the Qur’an. This is the science of spiritual tastes, ’ilm al-adhwaq.

Ibn ‘Ata’ Allah explains that the spiritual and esoteric interpretations of the Qur’an, which he calls the “spiritual tastes” (adhwaq), go beyond mere rationality. This science, based on spiritual intuition and unveiling (kashf), lies beyond purely intellectual capacities: it rests upon inner purification and proximity with Allah.

“There are subtleties in the Qur’an that only those who live in intimacy with Allah can understand and savour.”

Ibn ‘Ata’ Allah’s approach brings to light a fundamental reality: the Qur’an addresses not only the intellect, but also the heart and the soul. The spiritual teachings of the Qur’an:

As a concrete example, let us take the verse:

“Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth…” (Surah an-Nur, 24:35)

In its zahir sense, this verse expresses the divine greatness and His capacity to guide humanity. But in its batin sense, it can invite us to meditate on the divine light that illumines purified hearts, offering an inner understanding of the divine.

The rational approach and the spiritual approach do not oppose one another but complement each other:

As Ibn ‘Ata’ Allah said:

“The spiritual meanings open only to those who turn away from their ego and turn wholly towards Allah.”

His teaching on the outward and inward dimensions of the Qur’an reminds us that the divine Word addresses all, but that its true treasure lies in a sincere spiritual quest. The Qur’an is an infinite source of guidance, whose spiritual tastes are discovered through the purification of the heart, the love of God and meditation: the zahir guides the outward practices and the intellect; the batin nourishes the soul and intimacy with Allah; the science of spiritual tastes (’ilm al-adhwaq) calls us to go beyond reason and embrace a lived spirituality.

“It is He who sent down upon you the Book; in it are verses clear in meaning, which are the foundation of the Book, and others allegorical…” (Surah Al ’Imran, 3:7)

Qur’anic exegesis: a noble science

The exegesis of the Qur’an, or tafsir, designates the study and explanation of the Qur’anic verses, so as to better understand their meanings and applications. It is a fundamental discipline for Muslims who seek to deepen their relationship with the divine text.

According to Ibn ’Ajiba, Qur’anic exegesis is one of the most important sciences, and devoting oneself to it is one of the best ways of exercising one’s mind and intellectual faculties.

Ibn ’Ajiba (1747-1809) was a Moroccan scholar, a Sufi mystic and a specialist in tafsir. He is especially known for his Qur’anic exegesis entitled al-Bahr al-Madid (The Immense Sea), in which he combines traditional and spiritual interpretations.

A native of the Rif region of Morocco, he belongs to the tradition of Sufi exegetes who seek to disclose not only the apparent meanings of the verses but also their spiritual and esoteric dimensions. His thought rests on the conviction that the study of the Qur’an nourishes both the intellect and the soul, and makes spiritual progress possible:

Qur’anic exegesis is a central science in Islam. It demands both humility and intellectual effort in order to understand the divine utterances. Through the study of scholars such as Ibn ’Ajiba, we discover that the Qur’an is not merely a text to be read, but a source of reflection, of spiritual elevation and of guidance for humanity.

“This Qur’an guides to that which is most upright and gives good tidings to the believers…” (Surah al-Isra’, 17:9)

Continued: the multiple dimensions of a Qur’anic verse (part 2). See also the structure of the Qur’an and the Hikam of Ibn ‘Ata’ Allah commented by Ibn ’Ajiba.

Further reading