If you ask most Muslims: who explains the Quran? They will claim that the prophet explained the Quran, but upon careful analysis of the Quran, we see that God Himself explains the Quran, as God is the Teacher of the Quran.
55:1 The Most Gracious.
55:2 Teacher of the Quran.
(١) ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ
(٢) عَلَّمَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ
God informs us that the sole duty of the messenger was to deliver the message, which is the scripture and not some other source.
5:99 The sole duty of the messenger is to deliver the message, and GOD knows everything you declare and everything you conceal.
Throughout the Quran, a handful of words are used in relation “to explaining.” When we look at all these occurrences, we see that when it comes to explaining the religion or scripture, this is always done by God Himself.
Faṣṣala
The root for faṣṣala ( فَصَّلَ) is “fa-sad-lam” ( ف ص ل), and this root occurs 43 times in the Quran. The meanings derived from the root are the following:
to set apart; separate; distinguish; set a limit; part; depart; decide; set out; divide into parts; expatiate into detail; make clear (statement); distinct; judge; narrate a thing in detail; weaning; family; kinsfolk; set out; depart; decide; explain
If we look at every occurrence of this root in relation to explaining, it always indicates that either God or the scripture does the explaining. For example:
6:55 We thus explain the revelations, and point out the ways of the wicked.
6:98 He initiated you from one person, and decided your path, as well as your final destiny. Thus we explained the revelations for people who understand.
6:114 Shall I seek other than GOD as a source of law, when He has revealed to you this book fully detailed? Those who received the scripture recognize that it has been revealed from your Lord, truthfully. You shall not harbor any doubt.
6:119 Why should you not eat from that upon which GOD’s name has been mentioned? He has detailed for you what is prohibited for you, unless you are forced. Indeed, many people mislead others with their personal opinions, without knowledge. Your Lord is fully aware of the transgressors.
10:5 He is the One who rendered the sun radiant, and the moon a light, and He designed its phases that you may learn to count the years and to calculate. GOD did not create all this, except for a specific purpose. He explains the revelations for people who know.
The root for sarraf ( صَرَّفَ) is “sad-ra-fa” ( ص ر ف), and this root occurs 30 times in the Quran. The meanings derived from the root are the following:
to turn away; divert; avert; propound; set forth; vary; place to turn to; refuge; to explain; change (of wind); turn aside
Looking at every occurrence of this root in relation to explaining, it always indicates that God or the scripture does the explaining. For example:
6:46 Say, “What if GOD took away your hearing and your eyesight, and sealed your minds; which god, other than GOD, can restore these for you?” Note how we explain the revelations, and note how they still deviate!
6:65 Say, “He is certainly able to pour upon you retribution from above you, or from beneath your feet. Or He can divide you into factions and have you taste each others’ tyranny. Note how we explain the revelations, that they may understand.”
20:113 We thus revealed it, an Arabic Quran, and we explained in it all kinds of prophecies, that they may be saved, or it may cause them to take heed.
The root for afta ( أَفْتَى) is “fa-ta-ya” ( ف ت ي), and this root occurs 21 times in the Quran. The meanings derived from the root are the following:
to be young; full-grown; brave; generous; youth; generosity; manly qualities; young man; bold; courageous; young slave; fine fellow; servant; to advise; explain; give opinion or instruction; judgment or decision in a matter of law; give a formal legal decree; issue a (divine) decree or a sacred law; explain the meaning; pronounce; to consult; ask opinion or advice; decision; opinion; advice
It is worth noting that from this root, we get the word Fatwa, which is an “explanation” or “clarification” of an edict or ruling in Islamic law. If we look at every occurrence of this root in relation to explaining the scripture, it always indicates that either God or the scripture does the explaining. For example:
4:176 They seek your ruling; say, “ GOD explains to you concerning the single person. If one dies and leaves no children, and he had a sister, she gets half the inheritance. If she dies first, he inherits from her, if she left no children. If there were two sisters, they get two-thirds of the inheritance. If the siblings are men and women, the male gets twice the share of the female.” GOD thus clarifies for you, lest you go astray. GOD is fully aware of all things.
4:127 They seek your ruling concerning women: say, “ GOD explains to you regarding them, as recited for you in the scripture. You shall restore the rights of orphaned girls whom you cheat out of their due dowries when you wish to marry them: you shall not take advantage of them. The rights of orphaned boys must also be protected as well. You shall treat the orphans equitably. Whatever good you do, GOD is fully aware thereof.”
Notice that in both the above examples, the people go to the messenger for a ruling and he is commanded to respond that “God explains the ruling to you” concerning the matter. This shows that God is the One who explains the matter despite people asking the messenger, and God gives His ruling by means of the verses of the Quran.
We have two historical examples in the Quran where Joseph’s prison mates asked for his ruling regarding the interpretation of both their dreams (12:41) and the King asked his advisers (12:43) and Joseph (12:46) for the interpretation of his dream. But neither of these examples constitutes the explanation or ruling of verses in scripture.
Lastly, we see the following example regarding the sleepers of the cave, which explains to us that we should not seek explanations about the scripture from outside of the scripture.
18:22 Some would say, “They were three; their dog being the fourth,” while others would say, “Five; the sixth being their dog,” as they guessed. Others said, “Seven,” and the eighth was their dog. Say, “My Lord is the best knower of their number.” Only a few knew the correct number. Therefore, do not argue with them; just go along with them. You need not consult anyone about this.
The root for bayyana ( بَيَّنَ) is ( ب ي ن), and this root occurs 523 times in the Quran. The meanings derived from the root are the following:
to be distinct and separate; far away; remote; divorced (women); clear; obvious; appear; explain; easily understood; declaration; explanation; argument; rhetoric; clear meaning; intelligent and distinct speech or thought; evidence; clear proof; precise testimony; clear explanation; beyond doubt; parting; cutting; manifest; distinct; perceive; between; before; expound; became clear; became manifest; open; self expressive; luminous;
In the context of explanation, it predominately is associated with clarifying or making something clear. In the following verses of the Quran, we see that it states that the prophet was prohibited from explaining the Quran and that this responsibility would be handled by God and the scripture itself.
75:16 Do not move your tongue to hasten it.
75:17 It is we who will collect it into Quran.
75:18 Once we recite it, you shall follow such a Quran.
75:19 Then it is we who will explain it.
Verse 19 of Sura 75 uses the term “we,” which constitutes that God will utilize other entities to carry out this act. And throughout the Quran, we see that it is God who clarifies the revelations for the people.
2:187 Permitted for you is sexual intercourse with your wives during the nights of fasting. They are the keepers of your secrets, and you are the keepers of their secrets. GOD knew that you used to betray your souls, and He has redeemed you, and has pardoned you. Henceforth, you may have intercourse with them, seeking what GOD has permitted for you. You may eat and drink until the white thread of light becomes distinguishable from the dark thread of night at dawn. Then, you shall fast until sunset. Sexual intercourse is prohibited if you decide to retreat to the masjid (during the last ten days of Ramadan). These are GOD’s laws; you shall not transgress them. GOD thus clarifies His revelations for the people, that they may attain salvation.
2:219 They ask you about intoxicants and gambling: say, “In them there is a gross sin, and some benefits for the people. But their sinfulness far outweighs their benefit.” They also ask you what to give to charity: say, “The excess.” GOD thus clarifies the revelations for you, that you may reflect,
2:230 If he divorces her (for the third time), it is unlawful for him to remarry her, unless she marries another man, then he divorces her. The first husband can then remarry her, so long as they observe GOD’s laws. These are GOD’s laws; He explains them for people who know.
Now, we have a handful of verses where we see the messenger also clarifies (14:4, 43:29, 43:63, and 44:13). Still, upon careful analysis, we see this has to do with the clear delivery of the message and not its explanation.
16:82 If they still turn away, then your sole mission is the clear delivery (of the message).
The strongest verses one can utilize to say that the messenger explains the scripture comes from the following verse.
5:19 O people of the scripture, our messenger has come to you to explain things for you, after a period of time without messengers, lest you say, “We did not receive any preacher or warner.” A preacher and warner has now come to you. GOD is Omnipotent.
But if we look at the other verses, we see again that the messenger explains by means of the scripture itself, and not some other source. This further reinforces the messenger’s role in clarifying.
16:44 We provided them with the proofs and the scriptures. And we sent down to you the reminder (zikr) to clarify for the people everything that was sent down to them, perhaps they will reflect.
16:64 And not we have sent down this scripture to you, except to clarify for them what they disputed, and to provide guidance and mercy for people who believe.
Yet again, in 16:89, we see that it is the book that provides the explanations.
16:89 The day will come when we will raise from every community a witness from among them, and bring you as the witness of these people. We have revealed to you this book to provide explanations for everything, and guidance, and mercy, and good news for the submitters.
Another way to understand how the messenger clarifies the scripture can be seen in the following verses, in which the messenger makes clear what was being concealed from the scripture, like in the following examples.
3:187 GOD took a covenant from those who received the scripture: “ You shall make it clear to the people, and never conceal it.” But they disregarded it behind their backs, and traded it away for a cheap price. What a miserable trade.