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wa-la-qad ṣarrafnā fī hādhā l-qurʾāni li-yadhdhakkarū wa-mā yazīduhum ʾillā nufūran
Certainly We have variously paraphrased [the principles of guidance] in this Quran so that they may take admonition, but it increases them only in aversion.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah Isra’ – Verse 41
41. “And certainly We have explained (the facts in various ways) in this Qur’an so that they may receive admonition, but it does not add to them save aversion.”
The Qur’anic phrase /sarrafn a/ (We have explained) refers to the varied explanation and different reiterations of it for the clarification of the issue in question. Man is searching for variations by nature; whether in the natural sphere or in the domain of the Divine Book and, hence, this is the secret of some repetitions and variations of the statements in the Qur’an. As raining over an infected corpse produces foul odour and a stinking smell, the introduction of the Divine verses into the realm of the arrogant and some obstinate people who are so habituated, leads to their further detestation.
Therefore, the holy verse implies that Allah has thus far reiterated His proofs in the noble Qur’an, citing in detail, their significance and proverbial sayings and whatever else has been instructive and wise so that they can contemplate and make sure of their truthfulness. The verse says:
“And certainly We have explained (the facts in various ways) in this Qur’an so that they may receive admonition…”
However, those pagans do not benefit from these instructive matters and they always add up to their abomination and hatred unto the truth. The verse says:
“…but it does not add to them save aversion.”
One can, in the meantime, draw up this conclusion with regard to educational objectives that there is not necessarily a limited number of ways to gain the better educational aims. On the contrary, there exist various means and methods which can be utilized, for there are individuals differences in interests and in abilities which must be taken into account and one must infiltrate in a different manner in each of the cases. This point is also one of the methods of eloquence employed in expression.