Ja`far  Nkoonam, Fatemeh (Fatima)  Sarvi, 
    On the Interpretation of the Demonstrative Pronouns in the
Opening Verses of Qur’anic Suras,
    The Social Sciences,
    Volume 11,Issue 23,
    2016,
    Pages 5600-5607,
    ISSN 1818-5800,
    sscience.2016.5600.5607,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=sscience.2016.5600.5607)
    Abstract: Dhalik al-Kitab and other similar phrases at the beginning of some Quranic Suras have long been
debated by Muslim commentators as to what these demonstrative pronouns refer to. In this study, through
comparing the introductory verses of the Suras containing the pronouns it will be demonstrated that these
pronouns do not refer to the Qur’anic corpus or the content of the related Sura but rather to the divine
knowledge and Lawh Mahfuz which functions as the source of revelation. It seems that the skeptical reactions
of the polytheist audience dismissing the Prophet’s recitations as satanic inspirations, poetry or “soothsaying”
triggered the revelation of these verses.
    Keywords: Dhalika al-kitab;tilka ayatu al-kitab;lawh Mahfuz;quran`s divine origin;divine knowledge