Two Barriers to Understanding the Qur’an

It is impossible to understand the Qur'an if one approaches it with ulterior motives and prejudice. This is a law of Allah. No matter how clever and cultured a person may be, if he views the Qur'an with an insincere and concealed intent, he will not be able to understand or interpret it correctly, and will reach many false conclusions. That is why, according to the Qur'an, an "obscuring veil" will form between someone with a prejudiced and calculating approach and the Qur'an. This fact is mentioned in a Qur'anic verse:

{When you recite the Qur'an, We place an obscuring veil between you and those who do not believe in the hereafter. We have placed covers on their hearts, preventing them from understanding it, and heaviness in their ears. When you mention your Lord alone in the Qur'an, they turn their backs and run away.} ( Al-Isra': 45-46)

The Qur'an is an invitation to the right path for the whole of mankind, but Allah directly addresses only those who believe in Him. This is why the Qur'an has been revealed as a book that is only understood properly by believers. The most important qualities of believers, that allow them to understand the Qur'an, are their good consciences and sincerity. It is only natural for people who are distant from religion and whose spiritual state and character are far from those of a believer, to misunderstand the Qur'an. 

The Qur'an is written in a very clear, simple and understandable language but, as we have already stated, it is a book that is only clear to those believers with a pure conscience.

If anyone who has not been introduced to Islam yet, in other words who is still a non-believer, approaches the Qur'an wholeheartedly, sincerely and without prejudice, which are the traits of a believer, he will be able to realize by the use of his conscience that it is the word of Allah.

Everyone of good conscience would accept that the Qur'an, whether from the magnificence of its style, its perfection and clarity or from its superior scientific contents and wisdom, does not represent the words of a man but is instead a holy book. If such a conscientious person expresses faith and tries to comprehend the Qur'an, then its wisdom will become apparent to him. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) also referred to this in a hadith:

Abdur Rahman bin Abi Bakrah's father narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"If Allah wants to do good to a person, he makes him comprehend the religion and of course knowledge is attained by learning." (Al-Bukhari)

The Qur'an will guide someone with a humble heart to salvation, while it will misguide those who harbour ulterior motives and are hostile to it. No one who uses misguided information, interpretations, lies and prejudices taken from others, together with his own principles, world-view and philosophy of life, as yardsticks can either understand the Qur'an nor benefit from it.

In fact, just the opposite applies; the Qur'an will simply increase such a person's perversion and confusion. As he is unable to understand the Qur'an, he will raise illogical objections and twisted, nonsensical interpretations. As stated in the verse {… it (the Qur'an) only increases the wrongdoers in loss.} (Al Isra': 82) He will be distant from the Qur'an and faith.

Source : http://www.onislam.net