Further to our previous post on the Quranic term Al-Kitab, the related words used to describe Al-Kitab are Qaul and Kalimah.
The Quran also states there is no change in Allah's Laws whether in His Qaul, Kalimah or Sunna.
Sunna simply means "the way" or "the established course". Thus the Quranic expression Sunnatullah refers to the way of Allah, the established order by which the universe operates and by which events unfold.
What this means is that the universe is not governed by randomness, nor by arbitrary intervention. Rather, it operates through laws, principles and decrees that are constant and dependable.
The Quran also states there is no change in Allah's Laws whether in His Qaul, Kalimah or Sunna.
Sunna simply means "the way" or "the established course". Thus the Quranic expression Sunnatullah refers to the way of Allah, the established order by which the universe operates and by which events unfold.
What this means is that the universe is not governed by randomness, nor by arbitrary intervention. Rather, it operates through laws, principles and decrees that are constant and dependable.
Human beings are able to observe these constants and use them to determine their course of action. In simple terms, all the scientific laws and formulas that humanity has discovered enable progress because they reveal constants from which variables can be calculated and outcomes predicted.
Allah's Laws do not change. Any perceived change is merely the manifestation of laws operating at levels that we have yet to fully understand. The sun rises according to fixed laws, the seasons follow fixed laws, life and death follow fixed laws, and societies rise and fall according to fixed laws. Whether in the physical universe or in human history, the Quran repeatedly directs mankind to observe these patterns and recognise the consistency of Allah's governance.
This understanding provides an important connection between Qaul, Kalimah and Sunnatullah.
The Qaul of Allah expresses His determination and declaration.
The Kalimah of Allah represents the established principles, decrees and realities arising from that determination.
Sunnatullah is the observable operation of those decrees throughout creation and throughout history.
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50:29 No change the word (Al-Qawlu) with Me, and never will I be unjust to the servants."
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6:115 And the word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. None can alter His expression (kalimatu) , and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
10:64 For them are good tidings in the worldly life and in the Hereafter. No change is there in the expression (li-kalimati) of Allah. That is what is the great attainment.
18:27 And recite, what has been revealed to you of the Book of your Lord. There is no changer of His expression ( li-kalimati), and never will you find in other than Him a refuge
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33:62 the established way of Allah (Sunnatullah) with those who passed on before; and you will not find in the way of Allah (Sunnatullah) any change.
35:43 [Due to] arrogance in the land and plotting of evil; but the evil plot does not encompass except its own people. Then do they await except the way of the former peoples? But you will never find in the way of Allah (Sunnatullah) any change, and you will never find in the way of Allah any alteration.
48:23 [This is] the established way of Allah which has occurred before. And never will you find in the way of Allah any change.
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These expressions point to the same fundamental reality: the laws established by Allah are true, just, reliable and consistent.
For this reason the Quran frequently invites mankind to observe nature, history and their own selves. By recognising the constants embedded within creation, mankind gains knowledge, wisdom and guidance.
Scientific discovery itself is a process of uncovering aspects of these constants, learning how they operate, and applying them for the benefit of humanity.
The Quran therefore presents a universe that is intelligible, ordered and governed by consistent laws.
This is why it repeatedly declares that there is no change in the Qaul of Allah, no alteration in His Kalimah, and no change in His Sunnatullah.
Another related matter is the common belief of Muslims in miracles of the Prophets.
So this understanding will surely contradicts the concept of miracles that require changes in the ordinary scheme of things.
Allah's Laws do not change. Any perceived change is merely the manifestation of laws operating at levels that we have yet to fully understand. The sun rises according to fixed laws, the seasons follow fixed laws, life and death follow fixed laws, and societies rise and fall according to fixed laws. Whether in the physical universe or in human history, the Quran repeatedly directs mankind to observe these patterns and recognise the consistency of Allah's governance.
This understanding provides an important connection between Qaul, Kalimah and Sunnatullah.
The Qaul of Allah expresses His determination and declaration.
The Kalimah of Allah represents the established principles, decrees and realities arising from that determination.
Sunnatullah is the observable operation of those decrees throughout creation and throughout history.
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The Quranic Verses
Qaul
21:27 They cannot precede Him in word (bil-qawli), and they act by His command (bi-amrihi)50:29 No change the word (Al-Qawlu) with Me, and never will I be unjust to the servants."
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Kalimah
6:34 And certainly were messengers denied before you, but they were patient over the rejection, and they were harmed until came to them Our victory. And none can alter the expression (li-kalimati) of Allah. And there has certainly come to you some information about the [previous] messengers.6:115 And the word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. None can alter His expression (kalimatu) , and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
10:64 For them are good tidings in the worldly life and in the Hereafter. No change is there in the expression (li-kalimati) of Allah. That is what is the great attainment.
18:27 And recite, what has been revealed to you of the Book of your Lord. There is no changer of His expression ( li-kalimati), and never will you find in other than Him a refuge
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Sunnatullah
33:38 There can be no difficulty to the Nabi in what Allah has indicated to him as a duty. It was the way of Allah (Sunnatullah) amongst those of old that have passed away. And the command of Allah is a decree determined.33:62 the established way of Allah (Sunnatullah) with those who passed on before; and you will not find in the way of Allah (Sunnatullah) any change.
35:43 [Due to] arrogance in the land and plotting of evil; but the evil plot does not encompass except its own people. Then do they await except the way of the former peoples? But you will never find in the way of Allah (Sunnatullah) any change, and you will never find in the way of Allah any alteration.
48:23 [This is] the established way of Allah which has occurred before. And never will you find in the way of Allah any change.
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No Change in Qaul, Kalimah & Sunna
Thus the Quran repeatedly emphasises that there is no change in Allah's Qaul, no alteration to His Kalimah, and no variation in His Sunnah.These expressions point to the same fundamental reality: the laws established by Allah are true, just, reliable and consistent.
For this reason the Quran frequently invites mankind to observe nature, history and their own selves. By recognising the constants embedded within creation, mankind gains knowledge, wisdom and guidance.
Scientific discovery itself is a process of uncovering aspects of these constants, learning how they operate, and applying them for the benefit of humanity.
The Quran therefore presents a universe that is intelligible, ordered and governed by consistent laws.
This is why it repeatedly declares that there is no change in the Qaul of Allah, no alteration in His Kalimah, and no change in His Sunnatullah.
Another related matter is the common belief of Muslims in miracles of the Prophets.
So this understanding will surely contradicts the concept of miracles that require changes in the ordinary scheme of things.
We have discussed how the Quran expressed its messages through allegorical passages such as in 3:49 where the Kalimah of Isa is meant to liberate the human soul.
The Quran also denied such concept of miracles in verses 17:89 - 96. We shall elaborate on this in future post.
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Analysis of the term Qaul and Kalimah
To understand further the differences between Qaul and Kalimah, we present the following framework to study their usage and context in the Quran._______________________________________
Step 1: Qaul (قول) and Kalimah (كلمة) are not synonymous
Traditional translations often render both as "word", but the Quran uses them differently.Qaul
Root: ق و ل (q-w-l)
Basic sense:
An utterance, statement, declaration, expression, saying, proposition.
A qaul is generally something that is spoken, expressed, proclaimed, asserted, or communicated.
Examples:
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39:18 Those who listen to the qaul and follow the best of it.
Here qaul cannot mean a single word.
It means:
discourse, statement, message, proposition.
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18:27 None can change His words (kalimātihi).
Notice that this verse does not use qaul.
This distinction is important.
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6:115 And the qaulu of your Lord has been completed in truth and justice.
Many translations render this:
"The word of your Lord is perfected"
But grammatically:
qaulu rabbika
is singular.
The idea appears closer to:
the decree,
the pronouncement,
the established judgment,
the declared matter.
Something more comprehensive than an individual word.
39:18 Those who listen to the qaul and follow the best of it.
Here qaul cannot mean a single word.
It means:
discourse, statement, message, proposition.
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18:27 None can change His words (kalimātihi).
Notice that this verse does not use qaul.
This distinction is important.
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6:115 And the qaulu of your Lord has been completed in truth and justice.
Many translations render this:
"The word of your Lord is perfected"
But grammatically:
qaulu rabbika
is singular.
The idea appears closer to:
the decree,
the pronouncement,
the established judgment,
the declared matter.
Something more comprehensive than an individual word.
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Step 2: Kalimah
Root: ك ل م (k-l-m)The root originally relates to:
marking,
impressing,
affecting,
producing an effect.
A kalimah is not merely a vocabulary item.
In Classical Arabic it often means:
a meaningful unit carrying a complete concept.
Hence in the Quran a kalimah frequently functions as:
a principle,
a decree,
a truth,
a promise,
an established command.
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Example:
3:45 Allah gives you glad tidings of a kalimah from Him.
Referring to Isa.
Obviously Isa is not literally a spoken word.
Rather:
a manifested divine decree.
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Example:
14:24 Allah presents the example of a good kalimah like a good tree.
A single vocabulary word cannot resemble a tree.
The kalimah here is:
an enduring principle or truth.
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Example:
18:109 If the sea were ink for the kalimāt of my Lord, the sea would be exhausted before the kalimāt of my Lord were exhausted.
This is difficult to understand if kalimāt merely means spoken words.
But it makes sense if :
kalimāt = the innumerable realities, decrees, laws, truths and manifestations of Allah.
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Step 3: Relationship Between Qaul & Kalimah
From Quranic usage we might observe:Term | Function |
Qaul | Expression, declaration, statement
|
Kalimah | Underlying truth, decree, principle, established reality |
A simple analogy:
A scientific law may be described in a sentence.
The sentence is the qaul.
The law itself is the kalimah
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Al-Kitab = the written system of divine laws and realities.
Then:
Al-Kitab would be:
the complete written structure.
Kalimāt would be:
the individual principles, laws, decrees, truths within that structure.
Qaul would be:
the communication, declaration or articulation of those realities.
Thus:
Al-Kitab = the entire written order.
Kalimah = a specific law, decree, principle.
Qaul = the expressed statement regarding it.
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An interesting observation from 6:114-115
He has revealed to you Al-Kitab mufaṣṣalan.
Then immediately:
And the qaulu of your Lord has been completed in truth and justice.
This sequence is intriguing.
If:
Kitab = the detailed written order,
Qaul = Allah's declared judgment,
then verse 115 may be describing the reliability of what the Kitab contains:
truth (ṣidq)
justice (ʿadl)
These are characteristics we would expect of objective laws rather than human opinion.
Then comes:
A scientific law may be described in a sentence.
The sentence is the qaul.
The law itself is the kalimah
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Step 4: How does this relate to Al-Kitab
If we temporarily adopt this working hypothesis:Al-Kitab = the written system of divine laws and realities.
Then:
Al-Kitab would be:
the complete written structure.
Kalimāt would be:
the individual principles, laws, decrees, truths within that structure.
Qaul would be:
the communication, declaration or articulation of those realities.
Thus:
Al-Kitab = the entire written order.
Kalimah = a specific law, decree, principle.
Qaul = the expressed statement regarding it.
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An interesting observation from 6:114-115
He has revealed to you Al-Kitab mufaṣṣalan.
Then immediately:
And the qaulu of your Lord has been completed in truth and justice.
This sequence is intriguing.
If:
Kitab = the detailed written order,
Qaul = Allah's declared judgment,
then verse 115 may be describing the reliability of what the Kitab contains:
truth (ṣidq)
justice (ʿadl)
These are characteristics we would expect of objective laws rather than human opinion.
Then comes:
None can change His kalimāt.
Notice the shift.
Not:
none can change His qaul.
But:
None can change His kalimāt.
If kalimāt are the actual underlying decrees or realities, this makes excellent sense.
People may dispute them.
People may deny them.
But they cannot alter them.
Gravity remains gravity.
Life remains life.
Death remains death.
Cause and effect remain cause and effect.
The underlying decree stands regardless of human opinion.
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Another verse worth examining
48:23. Sunnata Allah allati qad khalat min qabl, wa lan tajida li sunnati Allahi tabdila.
48:23 The established way of Allah that has passed before; you will not find any change in Allah's sunnah.
This sounds remarkably similar to:
None can change His kalimāt.
Both describe something fixed, dependable, and operating consistently.
This suggests a possible conceptual relationship between:
Kitab (written order)
Kalimat (individual decrees/principles within it)
Sunnah Allah (the operation of those decrees through history)
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Based solely on Quranic usage, one could tentatively formulate:
Al-Kitab : the comprehensive written system or record established by Allah.
Kalimah : an individual decree, principle, truth, law, promise, or determination within that system.
Qaul : the declaration, expression, communication, or articulation of those truths.
Under this model, the Quran (al-Qur'an) would function as a reading, recitation, or exposition that points toward and explains aspects of al-Kitab.
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Real Life Examples
Example 1: Gravity
Suppose we look at gravity.
Al-Kitab
In the framework, Al-Kitab would correspond to the entire physical order governing gravity:the existence of mass,
spacetime,
attraction,
orbital motion,
planetary systems,
falling objects,
tides,
galaxies.
In other words:
the complete underlying reality.
Not the textbook.
Not the formula.
But the actual ordered system itself.
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Kalimah
Within that larger order are specific truths or determinations.
For example:
Objects with mass attract one another.
That is a specific reality.
A specific law.
A specific determination.
This would resemble a kalimah.
Another kalimah might be:
The gravitational force decreases with distance.
Another:
Planets follow predictable orbits.
Each is an individual reality contained within the larger order.
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Qaul
Then a scientist comes along and says:
"The force between two masses is proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of their distance."
That statement is not the law itself.
It is the articulation of the law.
The explanation.
The communicated expression.
In this framework:
This resembles qaul.
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Example 2: The Human Body
Let's use something closer to ourselves.
Al-Kitab
The entire biological system:DNA,
cells,
metabolism,
nervous system,
growth,
aging,
healing.
The complete integrated order.
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Kalimat
Specific realities within that system:cells replicate,
wounds heal,
neurons transmit signals,
muscles strengthen under stress.
Each is a specific determination operating within the larger system.
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Qaul
Medical science then describes these processes:
"Muscle hypertrophy occurs through adaptation to mechanical loading."
That explanation is not the reality itself.
It is the communicated understanding of it.
The qaul.
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Example 3: Engineering
Consider a steel portal frame.Al-Kitab
The entire structural reality:gravity,
material strength,
load paths,
buckling behaviour,
wind loads,
foundation reactions.
Everything that governs whether the structure stands or falls.
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Kalimat
Specific structural laws:Compression can cause buckling.
Loads transfer through connected members.
Steel expands with heat.
Bending induces tension and compression.
These are individual realities.
They do not change because an engineer ignores them.
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Qaul
The engineer writes:
"The beam requires a section modulus of X to resist the applied moment."
That statement is not the law itself.
It is the articulation of the law.
The communicated understanding.
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Why this distinction matters
People often confuse:Reality,
Law,
Description of the law.
But they are not the same.
For example:
Before Newton existed:
gravity existed,
planets orbited,
apples fell.
The law was already operating.
Newton did not create it.
He merely articulated it.
Therefore :
planets orbited,
apples fell.
The law was already operating.
Newton did not create it.
He merely articulated it.
Therefore :
The underlying order = Al-Kitab.
The specific governing reality = Kalimah.
Newton's formulation = Qaul.
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Now we can add the term discussed earlier.
Using gravity again:
Al-Kitab
The complete physical order.
Kalimah
The specific gravitational law.
Sunnatullah
The actual operation of gravity throughout the universe:
The specific governing reality = Kalimah.
Newton's formulation = Qaul.
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Extending to Sunnatullah
Now we can add the term discussed earlier.
Using gravity again:
Al-Kitab
The complete physical order.
Kalimah
The specific gravitational law.
Sunnatullah
The actual operation of gravity throughout the universe:
planets orbiting,
stars forming,
objects falling.
The law in action.
Qaul
The explanation of gravity by physicists.
Qadr
The measurable quantities involved:mass,
distance,
acceleration,
force.
The precise measures through which the law operates.
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Imagine an apple falling from a tree.
Al-Kitab
: The total physical order that makes the event possible.
Kalimah
: The reality that masses attract.
Qadr
: The exact measurable values—mass, distance, acceleration.
Sunnatullah
: The actual process of the apple falling.
Qaul
: The scientist explaining why it fell.
The Quran distinguishes between:
stars forming,
objects falling.
The law in action.
Qaul
The explanation of gravity by physicists.
Qadr
The measurable quantities involved:mass,
distance,
acceleration,
force.
The precise measures through which the law operates.
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A Complete Example
Imagine an apple falling from a tree.
Al-Kitab
: The total physical order that makes the event possible.
Kalimah
: The reality that masses attract.
Qadr
: The exact measurable values—mass, distance, acceleration.
Sunnatullah
: The actual process of the apple falling.
Qaul
: The scientist explaining why it fell.
The Quran distinguishes between:
reality itself,
the laws governing reality,
the operation of those laws,
the measurable parameters, and
our articulation of what we have understood.
Whether one applies this framework to the Quran as a whole is a larger question, but as a conceptual model, it is surprisingly elegant and maps quite naturally onto how scientific knowledge actually works.
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