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128chapter threesource of both the cosmic and historical truth it confirms ‘what wentwith it’ (alladhi baina yadaihi), that is, the umm al-kit§b, and functionsas the latter’s ultimate protector and guardian.The Seven Oft-Recited (sab# al-math§nÊ)And We have bestowed upon you the seven oft-repeated (verses)[sab# an min al-math§nÊ] and the grand qur"§n. ( Al-\ijr 15:87)1. In verse 87 of Sårat al-\ijr the conjunction ‘and’ connects theterm al-qur"§n to the preceding term sab# al-math§nÊ. Since theterms cannot be synonymous and since al-qur"§n is preceded bysab# al-math§nÊ, the latter must be a separate term and cannot beexplained by al-qur"§n. Because sab# al-math§nÊ is mentioned firstthis also indicates that it enjoys greater significance than thequr"§n in Allah’s act to bestow upon humankind divine instructionsabout the universe.2. The number ‘seven’ in the term sab# al-math§nÊ [lit. ‘the doubledseven"]is further proof of our thesis that the term sab# al-math§nÊis different from al-qur"§n, as the qur"§n consists of more than justseven verses.3. In spite of their separate nature, the two terms still share onegeneric root. One may compare this verse to another in whichit is said that there are women who are ‘[either] previously marriedor virgins’ [TaÈrÊm 66:5]. Despite their different socialstatus wives and virgins have something in common becausethey are both women. Likewise, the common denominatorbetween al-qur"§n and umm al-kit§b is their shared origin of beingboth revealed from God, even though they designate two differentrealms of the divine text. What links sab# al-math§nÊ andal-qur"§n is that both reveal the same information about theuniverse, although they do it in entirely different ways:God has revealed (from time to time) the most beautiful [event][aÈsan al-ÈadÊth] in the form of a[n ambiguous] book [kit§b an […]mutash§bih an ], ( yet) repeating (its teaching in various aspects)[math§nÊy a ]. The skins of those who fear their Lord tremble thereat;then their skins and their hearts do soften to the celebration ofGod’s praises. Such is the guidance of God: He guides therewithwhom He pleases, but such as God leaves to stray, can have noneto guide. ( Al-Zumar 39:23)