Quran, An Honored, Exalted Book
In verses 13 to 16 of Surah Abasa, we read, “In honored books (pages). Exalted, purified. In the hands of scribes. Noble, virtuous.”
In these verses, several features have been stated about the Quran:
1- The Quran has been scribed on honored pages. The Arabic word used here is Suhuf, which is the plural of sahifeh. Sahifeh means pieces of paper or clay n which something is written. It shows that before being revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), the verses of the Quran had been written on Suhuf. These Suhuf were either honored by themselves or became honored with the blessing of the verses.
There is also an ethical point here, that is, when God, the Almighty, honors something, we must also honor it.
2- Exalted and purified. Purity on the first look is about cleanliness. For example, if our clothes or hands get dirty, we wash them with water to clean them. But when we talk about purity of the Quran, it means that the Quran cannot be changed or distorted and that it is away from any contradictions or doubts.
3- In the hands of scribes that are noble and virtuous. These refer to angels who bring the revelation to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and they are aides to Jibreel (Gabriel) and under his command.
What one finds out from these points is that:
The source of the Quran and the one who sends it, namely God, is honored: “… surely my Lord is Self-sufficient, Honored.” (Verse 40 of Surah An-Naml)
The Holy Quran is also honored: “Most surely it is an honored Quran.” (Verse 77 of Surah Al-Waqi’ah)
Those who have brought it are also honored: “In the hands of scribes. Noble, virtuous.” (Verses 15-16 of Surah Abasa)
The person to whom the Quran has been revealed is also honored: “Most surely, it is the Word brought by an honored Messenger.” (Verse 40 of Surah Al-Haqaa)
