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The Science Of Exegesis Of The Holy Quran & Its SourcesDR. MUHAMMAD WASIE FASIH [email protected]
Meaning of Tafseer )Exegesis(The word “tafseer” is
derived from the word “fasar” which means “to open”
The science of tafseer is that branch of knowledge through which one gains understanding of the holy Quran and comprehension of its commandments and its wisdom(al-burhan,v1,p13)
2 TYPES OF AYAHSome ayahs are very clear in its meaning. For example: “Tell the believing men that they must
lower their gazes” ( al-noor:30)These ayahs can easily be understood with the help of
Arabic language and common sense onlyOn the other hand, some verses which have some
ambiguity in its meanings;Like: ““And (He relented) towards the three whose
matter was deferred” (al tauba:118)For this kinds of ayahs, which comprises of the
majority of the ayahs, only knowledge of Arabic language is not sufficient
Authentic Sources of ExegesisCommon sense
Arabic lexicon
Sayings of the
followers of companions
(rah
matullahe alaihim)
Sayings of the companions ( raziallahu
anhum)
Prophetic traditions
Quran Itself
1st Source: The Quran Itselfsome complex verses cannot be understood rightly
without considering the context of the verseFor example, regarding the wives of the prophets,
the companions of the prophets are ordered in these words:
“when you ask them of any goods, ask them from behind a curtain”( al-ahzab:53)
some people said that this command of hijab applies exclusively to the wives of the prophets, but the following next part of the verse clarifies that this command has a general application for all women
“ this is purer for your hearts and their hearts”
2nd Source: Prophetic TraditionsAllah ta’la says to the holy Prophet (sallahu alaihe wasallam):• “And We have sent unto you the message, that you may
explain clearly to men what is sent for them.”(16:44)• This ayah proves that the fundamental role of prophet
(sallahu alaihe wasallam) is to reveal the meaning of the Qur’an, which means that the Qur’an cannot be understood without the prophet (sallahu alaihe wasallam).
We would never know the meaning of the Quranic term “SALAT” without the verbal explanation and practical demonstration of the holy prophet( sallahu alaihe wasallam)
3rd Source: Sayings Of The Companions( Raziallahu Anhum)The first addressee of the holy Quran , the direct
students of the holy prophet(( sallahu alaihe wasallam) and the observer of the environment of revelation of holy Quran.
“The companions did not proceed further with their lessons of ten verses from the holy prophet(( sallahu alaihe wasallam) until they had received all knowledge and practical applications related to it” (al-itqan;176)
That’s why hazrat anas said ; “when some one had learnt surah al-baqarah and surah aal-e-imran, he was regarded very high in our eyes”( Musnad Ahmad)
4th Source: Sayings Of The Followers Of Companions (Rahmatullahe Alaihim)Direct students of the companions(raziallu
anhum)Observed the early era of most righteous,
pious, and wise persons. holy prophet said: “the best society is mine,
then of thier successors , then of their successors”
Devoted their whole life for the sciences of the holy Quran & Sunnah
5th Source:Arabic LexiconThe holy Quran has been revealed on the idiom of the language
of Arabs.Whenever the Quran &Sunnah or the sayings of companions do
not offer an interpretation of a verse, it would be interpreted in the light of the idiom of the language.
When BANU ISRAÍL asked sayyidina Musa (alaihessalam) for water, Allah tala gave him the order:
“and strike your staff the rock”Sir Syed Ahmed Khan interpreted this as “walk on this rock
with the support of your staff” Here the meaning of the word “اضرب “ has been taken as walk
instead of strike , which is wrong according to the Arabic grammar, because when “اضرب “ means “to walk” it must be followed by “فی” as mentioned in other verse.
6th Source: Common Sense
It is needed for every thing, so obviously required to draw interpretation from the above mentioned five sources also
The holy Quran is endless ocean of deep mystic meanings, the door to ponder over and deliberate on its inner meanings shall remain open forever.
Whoever has been blessed with fear of ALLAH may discover new realities. As the Quran says:
“ fear Allah. Allah educates you”
Causes of Inaccuracies in TafseerIncompetenceSubjecting Quran to
ones own viewBeing impressed
with prevailing philosophy
Misunderstanding Quran Subject
IncompetenceCommon misconception that by being able
to read Arabic one become a scholar if Quran
No sensible man would claim to have become a physician simply because he has a full command on English language
To understand the meaning of single verse ,one has to keep in view its different recites, other verses on the same subject, the revelationary background, its prophetic explanation, sayings of companions and the Arabic idioms of that era.
A Misunderstanding….Question: when Quran is easy
book, everyone should be able to understand it easily
Answer: as mentioned earlier, quranic verses are of two types, the first type is indeed very easy.
The holy prophet said:“whosoever says anything about
the Quran without the knowledge let make his place in fire(of hell)
Being Impressed With Prevailing PhilosophyMUTAZILAH, impressed by the Greek
philosphy, reject or misinterpreted the verses which seem tobe against the logic, like weighing the actions
Sir syed ahmed khan , under the pressure of cause and effect theory, misinterpreted the verses which dealwith miracles
The teachings of the quran are universal ,eternal.
Subjecting Quran To Ones Own View
The holy Quran said:“and as the thief, man or woman, cut off the hands
of both” (5:38)This quranic verse was interpreted by a socialism-
lover scholar that “thief man and woman” means “capitalists” and “ cut off the hands of both” signifies “nationalize their industries”
For details
Some Authentic ExegesesBoth In English And Urdu
A Short And Very Easy Exegesis
Exegesis With Reply To The West And Christianity
Exegesis In The Light Of Authentic Hades Only
Exegesis With The Extraction Of Islamic Rulings From The Relevant Ayahs
