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wa-ʾanzalnā ʾilayka l-kitāba bi-l-ḥaqqi muṣaddiqan li-mā bayna yadayhi mina l-kitābi wa-muhayminan ʿalayhi fa-ḥkum baynahum bi-mā ʾanzala llāhu wa-lā tattabiʿ ʾahwāʾahum ʿammā jāʾaka mina l-ḥaqqi li-kullin jaʿalnā minkum shirʿatan wa-minhājan wa-law shāʾa llāhu la-jaʿalakum ʾummatan wāḥidatan wa-lākin li-yabluwakum fī mā ʾātākum fa-stabiqū l-khayrāti ʾilā llāhi marjiʿukum jamīʿan fa-yunabbiʾukum bi-mā kuntum fīhi takhtalifūna
We have sent down to you the Book with the truth, confirming what was before it of the Book and as a guardian over it. So judge between them by what Allah has sent down, and do not follow their desires against the truth that has come to you. For each [community] among you We had appointed a code [of law] and a path, and had Allah wished He would have made you one community, but [His purposes required] that He should test you in respect to what He has given you. So take the lead in all good works. To Allah shall be the return of you all, whereat He will inform you concerning that about which you used to differ.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah Al-Ma'idah, Verse 48
48. "And We have sent down unto you the Book with the truth, confirming that which was before it of the Book and as a guardian over it. Therefore judge between them by what Allah has sent down and do not follow their vain desires against the truth that has come to you; for every one of you We appointed a law and a (clear) way. And if Allah had pleased, He would have made you (all) a single community, but He might try you in what He has given you. Therefore strive you excelling one another in virtuous deeds; unto Allah is the return of you all, and then He shall inform you of that in which you used to differ."
After pointing to the Books of the former prophets, there is an indication in this verse to the situation of the Qur'an, the signs of which adapt to what has been recorded in the former heavenly Books. At first, it says:
Fundamentally, all the heavenly Books are paralleled in principles, and their pursue is the same goal, i.e. training and improving the human race. Then it commands that since it is such,
Next to that, it adds not to follow those who intend to adapt the Divine ordinances to their own desires. It says:
To complete this discussion, it says:
Then, it continues saying about the power of Allah (s.w.t.) and that He might try you in order that your different talents be trained. The holy verse says:
Finally, the Qur'an addresses all the nations and races and invites them all that instead of spending their powers and capacities in conflicts and discords, they should pay to doing good. It says:
Then, it points to the reason of that righteous work, and says:
Explanation
The Arabic term /Sir'ah/ means: 'law, a way which leads to water'; and the meaning of the term /minhaj/ is: 'a clear way'. Ibn-Abbas has said that: /Sir'ah/ means: 'the ordinances that have come in the Qur'an, but /minhaj/ is that which has come in the practice of the Prophet (S). (Mufradat Raqib)