interpretating the quran

[Crystal]

Narrated Jundub: The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: If anyone interprets the Book of Allah in the light of his opinion even if he is right, he has erred. Sunan Abudawud book 25 ,number 3644

Narrated Abdullah: The Prophet said, "Recite (and study) the Qur'an as long as you agree about its interpretation, but if you have any difference of opinion (as regards to its interpretation and meaning) then you should stop reciting it (for the time being)." Sahih Bukhari book 61,number 580
Hi all - I have been reading hadiths and I came across those hadiths above. Surely interpretation of verses in the quran causes conflict of opinions among Muslims. I understand that some verses do not need to be interpreted as Muhammad explained their meanings but my question is this : are there sources of all of explanations of every verse in the quran by Muhammad. If there are some that are not explained in the hadith then how do Muslims deal with them verses?

Isn't interpretation of verses a problem in countries that impose sharia law? Who decides on the meaning if it is not explained?

If anyone could answer them questions thanks or if anyone has further explanations of them hadiths thanks.

[Salahudeen]

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Allah says: It is He who has sent down to you, [O Muhammad], the Book; in it are verses [that are] precise - they are the foundation of the Book - and others unspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation [from truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific, seeking discord and seeking an interpretation [suitable to them]. And no one knows its [true] interpretation except Allah. But those firm in knowledge say, "We believe in it. All [of it] is from our Lord." And no one will be reminded except those of understanding. (3:7).

So for matters of jurisprudence and shariah, scholars rely on the specific verses in the Quran that are no subject to interpretation and to the explanations of Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam in his Sunnah, and to the actions and approvals of the companions of the prophet, their consensus and on the rule of precedence (Qiyas).

When there are differences of opinion between the scholars, the schools of thought, then the ruler of the Muslims will choose the most accurate opinion of them all that will make the lives of the Muslims easier in his community. Provided he does not try to follow the mistakes of some scholars.

We always hear the question: which Islam are you talking about, there are many.

The answer is really simple: it is the correct understanding of Islam and that is:

Our sources for our religion are:
1. The Word of Allah, Quran
2. The Sunnah, The explanation and implementation of Quran in our lives as taught by the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad, may Allah bestow His peace and blessings on him.

- But, everyone says we follow the Quran and Sunnah, yet they are different in understanding Quran and Sunnah, so where do we go from there?

Well, we understand the Quran and the Sunnah as the companions of the prophet pbuh understood them, and as the first 3 generations of Islam understood them. Those early Muslims are the closest of us all to the time of revelation of Quran and to the prophet pbuh and his teachings.

- But even the early Muslims did not have the same understanding on everything.

Right, so we submit to what they have all agreed upon. So here, the agreement, consensus of the early Muslims is binding to every Muslims. They could not have all agreed on the same understanding of a certain issue wrongly, do you agree, makes sense? Of course.

- And the things they differed on?

When they have differed on a certain issue, then every Muslim has the right to look into their different understandings and choose what he feels in his heart to be the true one, not what he desires to be the one. Islam has big room for difference of opinions, the Muslim Ummah is united on the basics that the early Muslims (Salaf) has agreed upon.

The Muslim Ummah is a collection of colorful garments, stitched together by Tawhid, the Oneness of Allah.

So, whoever is with us on this method of understanding, is a Muslim, and whoever is not with us on this understanding, is not a Muslim, he has a different religion altogether.

The early Muslims agreed upon the basics of our creed (Aqeedah), belief system. The six articles of faith, belief in Allah, His angels, His revelations, His messengers, His judgment day, and His divine pre-decree and ordainment. They agreed on the necessity to keep the 5 pillars of Islam to maintain their Islam. First of which is the Shahadah, the testimony of faith, I bear witness that there is no true God but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger. The other 4 are prayers 5 prescribed times of the day and night, obligatory charity once a year, fasting the blessed month of Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Makkah once in a lifetime whenever able.

The first pillar, the testimony, entails that one does not worship any god with Allah. The action worship takes many forms. Praying to Allah alone, acknowledging the law and following the law of Allah alone, asking Allah alone, relying on Allah alone, hope in Allah alone, loving Allah alone, fearing Allah alone, sacrificing to Allah alone, doing pilgrimage to His 3 prescribed houses only (Makkah, Madinah and Baitul Maqdis, Jerusalem).

Those are the basic principles of Islam, be on them, and then we are brothers and sisters in the religion. Go astray from them, then you have your religion and we have ours.

[Salahudeen]

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The Quran is interpreted (in order) :

1. By the Quran, for some verses explain other verses.

2. By the Sunnah/Hadeeth.

3. By the statements of the Sahaba radiyallahu anhum, since they were the students of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, witnesses the nuzul .. etc.
There is also the Tab'ieen, but this one includes some details and conditions which I do not remember now.

4. The Arabic language also plays a role in interpretation.

I believe this matter is discussed in books related to uloom al Quran (science of the Quran).

[Iconodule]

Someone else had claimed elsewhere that someone could pick up the Quran on a desert isle and understand it by himself.

[Abz2000]

[Ramadhan]

Someone else had claimed elsewhere that someone could pick up the Quran on a desert isle and understand it by himself.

Go to www.quran.com

read it and come here if there's something you don't understand,
and compared that to bibles of your choice and see if you understand all the contradictions and errors contained in them without your pope or bible studies trying to shove down your throat their "interpretations" of those errors and contradictions and corruptions.

[Abz2000]

iconodule - there is no priesthood in Islam, the scholars are also men like us, it's just that they may have more knowledge than us on specific issues,
we are just seeking the opinions of people more learned in a subject than us, but we have to make the decision ourselves - unless we can establish Islamic rule, then we follow the decision the leader makes after consultation - or if we see the leader is blatantly erring - we change him for a better one.
without the presence of Islamic rule - it is down to the individual, since nobody will take responsibility for your mistakes on the day of judgement.
again, we ask the opinions of those more learned on a subject.
surely you do ask the doctor or lawyer or nutritionist or physiologist when unsure?
but will they take the responsibility for outcomes? no, so you listen to the best advice and come to a decision.
in the absence of a doctor - you bandage your leg yourself - or use tweezers to remove a bullet, or use antiseptic on a deep cut.

surely you know how to read a map, even though there are specialists in the field,
as long as the map is coherent, your ok to use your intelligence.
but when the map has the same location pasted in different directions because someone's tampered with it - you have to ask yourself whether something's wrong.

[Crystal]

Thanks Salahudeen for the answers. Sometimes I see Muslims debating over the meaning of a particular verse and so by this ayat they shouldn't do this?

And no one knows its [true] interpretation except Allah.

This ayat is very telling considering a lot of people are interpreting things for their own benefit.
An example if I may take would be that verse in relation to women and covering their hair in surah Al Nur which I seem to notice a lot of Muslims debating it's meaning. Now as far as I know it doesn't explicitly say hair or head (and like you said arabic plays a role) but if going by the method you have given the next step they should take is looking to the sunnah. As far as I know I came across a hadith in which Muhammad said to a young girl who was wearing little clothing that when a girl reaches maturity she should cover her body except two places and he pointed to her face and feet I think. I can't locate the hadith right now but you probably know it. So why do Muslims still debate over some meanings of the quran if the answer is in the sunnah?

Also that book uloom al Quran is it available online?

Abz thanks for the video as well.

[Iconodule]

abz2000- Thanks for clarifying.

Just to clear up one misconception I sometimes see here: in the Orthodox Christian Church our bishops and priests are not considered infallible. Like with your scholars, we recognize that they are generally better-studied and wiser in many matters than the laity, but it's the duty of all the faithful to preserve and protect the faith. And many times in the history of the Church priests and bishops have appeared who taught false doctrines and it was the lay believers who were the first to speak against them.

[جوري]

Oh how do you figure? Have you got your axons in a knot?

Orthodox Christian Church our bishops and priests are not considered infallible. Like with your scholars,

[Iconodule]

Oh how do you figure? Have you got your axons in a knot?

What exactly are you asking about?

[Ramadhan]

abz2000- Thanks for clarifying.

Just to clear up one misconception I sometimes see here: in the Orthodox Christian Church our bishops and priests are not considered infallible. Like with your scholars, we recognize that they are generally better-studied and wiser in many matters than the laity, but it's the duty of all the faithful to preserve and protect the faith. And many times in the history of the Church priests and bishops have appeared who taught false doctrines and it was the lay believers who were the first to speak against them.

You are talking as if bible is preserved, although it is clearly not.

[جوري]

What exactly are you asking about?

Which part was difficult for you to understand?

show me an orthodox christian who doesn't think the pope is 'God appointed' and can do no wrong!

[Iconodule]

Which part was difficult for you to understand?

show me an orthodox christian who doesn't think the pope is 'God appointed' and can do no wrong!

I am an Orthodox Christian and I don't believe the Pope is God appointed and I do believe he can do much wrong. In fact, all Orthodox Christians agree with me since... we're not under the Pope!

[جوري]

I am an Orthodox Christian and I don't believe the Pope is God appointed and I do believe he can do much wrong. In fact, all Orthodox Christians agree with me since... we're not under the Pope!

Then you're a heretic in accordance with the 'True' Christians..
Those 'Copts' you adore would consider you so..

btw let me give you a little lesson as I see it westerners are as under-educated as they get.

Copt= Egyptian doesn't equal christian.. they were copts during the time of Moses, and they were copts during the time they worshiped amon ra..
The same way the only purely Semitic population in the world today is in Yemen, you know those folks your govt. is out with a drone every other day to raid!

Good luck sorting through all that confusion.. It is no wonder you worship a self-immolating man-god who couldn't save himself in spite of a night prayer to self!

best,

[Iconodule]

Then you're a heretic in accordance with the 'True' Christians..
Those 'Copts' you adore would consider you so..

The Coptic Pope is completely different from the Pope of Rome (the Eastern Orthodox patriarch of Alexandria is also called "Pope"). The Coptic Pope is not considered infallible.

If you want to understand some of the differences between Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism, here is a good article: http://www.oodegr.com/english/papismos/diafores2.htm

Copt= Egyptian doesn't equal christian.

I'm well aware of this distinction but the term "Copt" is frequently used as shorthand for members of the Coptic Church, by the Coptic Christians themselves and also other Egyptians. You yourself have done this.

[Ramadhan]

I am an Orthodox Christian and I don't believe the Pope is God appointed and I do believe he can do much wrong. In fact, all Orthodox Christians agree with me since... we're not under the Pope!

You may not be under the pope, but you are under your bishops, and your scriptures must be interpreted by the ecumenical councils.

[Iconodule]

You may not be under the pope, but you are under your bishops, and your scriptures must be interpreted by the ecumenical councils.

Of course we're under our bishops, thank God, but they are not infallible. Ecumenical councils convene rarely to address very specific problems; the interpretation of scripture is done by the Church as a whole, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Certainly the councils made some very crucial points but our faith is not limited to the decrees of councils. When we read the scriptures we consult the writings of great Fathers like St. John Chrysostom and also discuss with priests and knowledgeable lay teachers. We are also instructed by the Church's doctrinally and scripturally rich hymnography- whole theological textbooks could be written just using hymns.

[جوري]

The Coptic Pope is completely different from the Pope of Rome (the Eastern Orthodox patriarch of Alexandria is also called "Pope"). The Coptic Pope is not considered infallible.

If you want to understand some of the differences between Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism, here is a good article:

http://www.oodegr.com/english/papismos/diafores2.htm

That's a given & hence I stated you're a heretic to many.

I'm well aware of this distinction but the term "Copt" is frequently used as shorthand for members of the Coptic Church, by the Coptic Christians themselves and also other Egyptians. You yourself have done this.

No you're not well aware but google is your god when at a loss I am sure.. I have put 'copt' in quotes more often than not to highlight that fact!


best

[Iconodule]

That's a given & hence I stated you're a heretic to many.

Everyone is a "heretic" to someone. It doesn't necessarily prove anything.