Unfortunately many a man do not know how to approach AL Qur'an to benefit from it. Those averse to Islam, dig into Qur'an only to find verses that can be twisted and used against Islam. Many verses so twisted are used as a platform for waging a sinister campaign and spreading Islamophobia in the world. But those who read Qur'an with an open minds and try to find the good in it, more often than not find the true guidance and come under the fold of Islam.
Although, the ordinary men get to understand the Divine message, even by reading the translation of Al Qur'an, there are many hidden meanings that only men of wisdom, intellect and understanding can understand. This is what is being said in the 29th verses of Surah 38 Saad (The letter Saad) being shared and explained herein under:
The Verse
"This is a Blessed Book which We have revealed to you, so that they may reflect upon its verses and so that those of understanding (ulu al-albāb) may take heed."
(38:29)
Key Points in the Verse
- “Blessed Book” (Kitābun Mubārak):
- The Quran has been called a blessed Book in the sense that it is highly useful for man. It gives him the best guidance to improve and reform his life. By following it he has only to gain and nothing to lose.
- The Qur’an is full of blessings: spiritual, moral, and practical guidance, light, healing, and mercy.
- Purpose of Revelation:
- Tadabbur (reflection)
- Not just recitation, but pondering the meanings, wisdom, and lessons.
- Ibn Taymiyah said, “Whoever contemplates [tadabbur] upon the Qur’ān [with the condition] of seeking guidance from it, [then] the path of truth will be made clear.”
- Dhikrā (reminder) — So that people can act upon it, not merely admire it.
- “Those of Understanding” (Ulu al-Albāb): This phrase occurs often in the Qur’an. It refers to people with pure hearts, sound intellect, and sincerity who can recognize truth when they see it.
Who Are the Men of Wisdom (Ulu al-Albāb)?
Ulu al-albāb (or Ulūl albāb) is an Arabic term from the Quran that refers to people of sound intellect, wisdom, and deep insight, who integrate their intellectual faculties with spiritual awareness to understand God's signs in creation. They are characterized by their profound contemplation, reflection, piety, and ability to make wise decisions, striving for truth and seeking to serve God and humanity.
Ibn Qayyim said, "In short, there is nothing more beneficial for the heart than reading the Quran and with contemplation and reflection. The Quran encompasses all levels of the travelers, the conditions of the workers, and the stations of those possessing know. It is the Quran that generates love, desire, fear, hope, repentance, reliance, pleasure, entrustment, gratitude, patience, and the rest of the different states that are life to the heart and perfection of it. Likewise, it repels all the rebuked characteristics and actions that cause the corruption and ruin of the heart. If people were to possess a realization of what recitation of Quran with contemplation contains, they would devote themselves to it at the expense of anything else". [Ref: Miftaah Daar as Saadah p.204]
Key characteristics of ulū al-albāb:
- Deep intellectual capacity: They possess sharp, profound, and broad understanding, often described as having "layered brains" or pure intellects.
- Spiritual maturity: They achieve a notable degree of spiritual maturity, combining intellect with emotion and devotion.
- Contemplation and reflection: They actively contemplate the creation of the heavens and the earth and reflect on God's decrees.
- Wisdom and insight: They gain profound insight and wisdom, allowing them to understand the essence of things and perceive signs of God's greatness.
- Piety and remembrance: They remember God (dhikr) while standing, sitting, or lying down and hasten towards His forgiveness.
- Integrative approach: They integrate human reason with Divine revelation and combine worldly knowledge with religious knowledge.
- Solution-oriented: They can act as solution-oriented individuals who use their minds for effective planning and decision-making.
In essence: Ulu al-albāb are not just intellectually smart but are deeply spiritual, possessing a complete understanding of reality through the combined lens of reason and faith, leading to moral action and purposeful living.
Quranic Examples:
- 3:190–191: Ulu al-albāb are those who remember Allah, reflect on creation, and say, “Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly.”
- 13:19: They recognize that what Allah has revealed is the truth.
- 39:9: They are described as those who spend the night in prayer, humble before their Lord, fearing the Hereafter.
So "men of wisdom" are not an elite scholarly class only — but people whose hearts are alive with faith and reflection.
Can Ordinary Believers Understand the Qur’an?
Yes of course. The Qur’an was revealed for all of mankind, not just scholars.
54:17: “And We have certainly made the Qur’an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?”
39:27: Allah says He has given every type of example in the Qur’an so people may take heed.
The Prophet ﷺ recited Qur’an to ordinary companions — shepherds, traders, farmers — who reflected and acted on it.
However, levels of understanding differ:
- Ordinary believers can understand the general guidance (belief in Allah, prayer, morality, justice, patience).
- Scholars with deeper study of Arabic, tafsīr, and Sunnah can uncover deeper layers and resolve complex issues.
- But reflection (tadabbur) is for everyone. The Qur’an invites all believers to think, not just scholars.
Lessons for Us Today
Al Qur'an is revealed for guidance of man and not finding shortcuts from Al Qur'an in form of supplications to steer the life as they want it. Those who understand the Qur'an will have their life well shaped as it will add the love and mercy of Allah in everything they do and wish for.
Remember:
- Don’t treat Qur’an as just for recitation in rituals — it is for reflection and action.
- Everyone can benefit, but sincerity, humility, and use of intellect are key.
- True wisdom is not just having knowledge, but applying Qur’anic guidance to life.
Surah Ṣād 38:29 highlights that the Qur’an is a blessed Book revealed for reflection. The “men of wisdom” are not just scholars, but anyone with sincerity, humility, and sound intellect who seeks Allah’s guidance. Ordinary believers can and must reflect on the Qur’an, while scholars may access deeper layers — but everyone can benefit from its guidance.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
For more Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. .
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.
In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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