تِلْكَ ءَايَٰتُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ
12:2; 15:2; 27:2; 28:3.
Important Words:
مبین (clear) as active participle from أبان which is derived from بان which being intransitive means it (the thing) was or became clear, manifest, plain, etc. أبان is used both as transitive and intransitive. أبان الحق or استبان الحق (haqqu) means, the truth became apparent and أبان الحق (haqqa) means, he made the truth clear. مبین therefore means, (1) that which itself is clear and manifest; (2) that which makes other things clear and (3) that which cuts off one thing from another and renders it distinct and separate from it (Lane & Aqrab). See also 2:169.
Commentary:
The word مبین as its meanings show, points to the following three salient features of the Quran, viz. (1) that it not only states facts and makes prophecies and lays down laws and ordinances but also supports and substantiates what it says and claims by solid arguments and sound reasons; (2) that it is not only clear in itself but makes clear the obscurities and ambiguities that are to be found in previous revealed scriptures; and (3) that all that is essential for the attainment of nearness to God and all that relates to the laws of the Shari‘ah, to ethics and to matters of belief has been made quite clear in it.
This is a quality which the Quran possesses to the entire exclusion of all other revealed Books. Other scriptures are only مستبین (clear in themselves) but the Quran is not only مستبین but is also مبین (makes clear the obscurities that are to be found in other Books). What adds to the beauty of the Quran as کتاب مبین (clear and perspicuous Book) is that all its teachings are in perfect harmony with کتاب مکنون(preserved Book) i.e. pure and unsullied nature.