As-Sajdah 32:2 - Linguistic Miracle

Descent of the Book while there is no doubt in it being from the Rabb of ʿĀlamīn. There are two opinions on the words - no doubt in it. One is that these words act as a

ḥāl and the second that these words are an interjectory sentence. A Ḥāl describes the state of something and the way I translated the verse above is considering it as a ḥāl because this reading seems to me to be consistent with what comes next.

An interjectory sentence is one that is interjected in the middle of an already complete sentence. In this reading, the actual sentence would be “ Descent of the

Book from the Rabb of ʿĀlamīn” with the words -no doubt in it- interjected between and inside it.

The verse does not mention the name Allah, rather it mentions the word Rabb whose meaning we have already covered. ʿĀlamīn comes from the root ʿayn lām mīm which at its root means knowledge and indication. Zamakhsharī pointed out, the Qurʾān calls mankind and Jinn ʿĀlamīn because they serve as a sign of Allah. They indicate that Allah exists.

The reason why Allah uses the word Rabb instead of mentioning his name Allah is to make a significant point. Since Allah is the Rabb, the caretaker, sustainer and the nurturer of mankind and Jinn, it necessitates that He sends down a book that serves to guide them, help them, rectify them, and lead them to the correct path. Lastly the word raib is translated as doubt. Raib is somewhat different from a doubt.

Arabic and Qurʾān have another word for doubt - shakk. Raib is doubt mixed with uneasiness and tension. A doubt that constricts your chest and causes you discomfort. For example, if I told you that I did not drive to my school but walked to it, you can be doubtful about it but it is not something that will disturb you because it’s a minor thing. But consider - God forbid - a spouse has doubts regarding the loyalty of her husband, then this is a doubt that disturbs and constricts the chest. This is Raib.

You cannot have doubts regarding the Qurʾān from being God in a way that they disturb and constrict your chest. People can have passing thoughts that come and go like the wind; but if you study it deeply, no valid doubt- no Raib- will be left.