In the Name of Allah, the
Gracious, the Merciful
Interpreting the Qur'aan
I believe an overwhelming majority of
Muslims in the world today think that it is very difficult to
understand the meaning of Qur'aanic verses without the aid of the ahuaadeeth.
A thorough knowledge of all the recognised books of ahuaadeeth,
our Ulama assert, is a must before one could attempt interpreting the
Qur'aan.
That's what the Ulama say. But what does the Qur'aan itself say? It's a
very sensitive issue, but it's also a vital one. The very vitality of
the Muslim Ummah depends on the correct attitude to this issue that the
Ummah, by and large, takes.
So I appeal to all concerned that while discussing this important
subject, let us not be at daggers drawn with one another. And let us
pray to Allah that He enlightens us with the Truth in this regard.
As a starter in the quest for the
Truth on the
role
of ahuadeeth in interpreting the Qur'aan, I give below an
extract
from my book ISLAM
& POLYGAMY, which, I think, would be relevant to the
subject:
..."HE it is Who has sent down
to
you
the Book. In it are verses that are unambiguously clear (muhkamaat). These it is that
constitute the essence of the Book. And there are other verses that are
are not clear (mutashaabihaat).
As for those prone to go astray in their minds, they are after those
verses that are not clear, seeking mischief and seeking interpretation
thereof. And none, but Allah, knows the interpretation of the mutashaabihaat! And the ones having
deep knowledge, say, 'We do believe therein. All of it is from our
Lord.' And few remember this except for those, blessed with
understanding." [Q: 3.7]
4. It would perhaps be
pertinent
here to illustrate the mutashaabihaat
with an example. There are numerous verses that mention al-naar - the Fire into which
those who suppressed the Truth and led profligate lives in this world,
would be
thrown, in the Hereafter. The fire, as we understand it in this world,
would make any person die within minutes of being thrown into the thick
of it. But the Fire of the Hereafter would not make persons die. They
will
remain alive there to suffer ad infinitum! We, with our limited
intellect,
are unable to understand such a Fire. So, al-naar is a mutashaabih word for us. We, as
believers,
accept its attributes as described to us by Allah. Like al-naar, al-firdaus, al-malaaika and all other things,
unseen and imperceptible to us, are mutashaabihaat.
Allah alone, by Himself, is completely aware of their meanings. We have
to accept whatever He is pleased to tell us about them, although we may
not completely understand the information thereof that He gives us.
5. Muhkamaat, on
the
other hand, are verses that are capable of being completely understood
by us, and
are required to be implemented by us! These are unambiguous and clear
by themselves, or are made clear through other verses of the Qur'aan.
Time and again, the Qur'aan reiterates the clarity and unambiguity of
such
verses. "... Allah makes clear to you His verses, so that you may be
grateful."
[5.89] "... See how variously do We explain the verses. Yet, they turn
away!"
[6.46] The Qur'aan is replete with such verses.
6. There is therefore no scope at all for anyone to
interpret
the muhkamaat with one's own
opinion....
Besides, in verse 17.89, Allah clearly tells us, "And,
certainly, We have variously and fully explained to mankind, in
this
Qur'aan, examples from every possible situation. However, most
persons refuse to believe in anything but disbelief." (Emphasis added)
The verse above, read with verses quoted earlier herein, makes it
absolutely clear that the Qur'aan is a self-contained
Reference Book, given by the Creator, for guidance of mankind. Anyone
who disbelieves in this emphatic Qur'aanic assertion, is a disbeliever
in the Allah-perfected Religion of Islam.
The Qur'aan then leaves no scope for any believer to say that the
divine Book
provides no solution to any given problem faced by mankind anywhere in
the world. Nor can any believer say, with conviction, that any given
Qur'aanic instruction, command or guidance is not clear by itself, or,
is not adequately clarified by means of other Qur'aanic verses. If it
is not clear to any person, it is just because that person has not put
in enough effort to understand it.
Yes! Every person trying to understand the Qur'aan, has
to put in adequate efforts towards that end. The Qur'aan is in the
Arabic language. So, first of all, one has to acquire at least a
working knowledge of Qur'aanic Arabic as a language. Armed with this
only minimum requirement, any sincere seeker of Truth ought to find the
divine Book easy to understand.
I have therefore no hesitation in asserting that the notion that the
Qur'aan cannot be understood without the aid of the ahuaadeeth,
is a lie concocted against Allah. I say it's a lie against Allah,
because the notion contradicts the oft-repeated divine assertion that
the Qur'aan, by itself, is clear and easy to understand.
The Qur'aan uses the perspective of
the unfolding events during the time of its revelation, as also of
events during the lives of the earlier Prophets, to convey and explain
the divine Message. This perspective, given by Allah Himself, could not
but be authentic. Despite this authentic, Allah-given perspective, do
we still necessarily need the
perspective given by the not-so-reliable and man-influenced ahuaadeeth
to interpret the Qur'aanic verses!?
The ahuaadeeth do have a historic value. But they have no role
in the interpretation of the Qur'aanic verses. The Qur'aan is
self-sufficient in making its verses clear and easy to understand. That
is what the Qur'aan repeatedly says. All I say is: do
believe in the Qur'aan!
Mohammad Shafi
islam-n-interest.com
--
Guide us to the Stright Path, Allah!
***************************************************************************
{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.}
(Holy Quran-16:125)
{And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33)
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all."
[Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
All views expressed herein belong to the individuals concerned and do not in any way reflect the official views of IslamCity unless sanctioned or approved otherwise.
If your mailbox clogged with mails from IslamCity, you may wish to get a daily digest of emails by logging-on to http://www.yahoogroups.com to change your mail delivery settings or email the moderators at [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the title "change to daily digest".
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
|
