Disclaimer

Disclaimer
Warning - Contents may have images/information that some viewers may find disturbing. Proceed with caution. One of the principles of sharee’ah (law) is that whatever leads to haraam deeds is itself haraam, so everything that leads to the provocation of haraam desires is haraam, because it may lead to a person falling into evil things. If you feel erotic while reading the post, please leave/close the page.

Friday 21 November 2014

The Interpretation of the Qur'an (Tafseer)

The Interpretation of the Qur'an (Tafseer)

by Abû Ammâr Yasir al-Qadhî

The topic of tafseer is the most important topic of 'uloom al-Quraan, since in many ways it is the primary goal of 'uloom al-Quraan — to understand and implement the Qur'aan properly. This has also been the first topic of 'uloom al-Quraan to have been written on, and without a doubt the one in which most of the works in this field have been written about.

I. The Definition of Tafseer and Ta'weel


The word 'tafseer comes from fassara', which means, 'to explain, to expound, to elucidate, to interpret.' The word tafseer is the verbal noun of fassara', and means 'the explanation or interpretation of something.' According to another opinion,[1] the word tafseer is a transposition from s-f-r, which means, 'to expose, to uncover.' Thus, a woman who uncovers her face is called a 'saafirah', and the act of uncovering her face is called 'sufoor.' Therefore, according to this definition, 'tafseer would mean uncovering the meanings and exposing the secrets of the Qur'aan.

However, the stronger opinion is the first one, even though both of these meanings are correct.
In Islaamic sciences, tafseer is defined to be: The science by which the Qur'aan is understood, its meanings explained, and its rulings derived.[2]

Another common word that is heard in this subject is the word 'taweel'. What, then, is the difference, if any, between tafseer and taweel?
The word 'ta'weel' is from a-w-l, which means 'to return, to revert,' which implies going back to the original meaning of a word to see what its meanings and connotations are. The meanings of the word 'ta'weel' were given earlier, and are repeated here.
The word 'taweel' has three meanings:
1) To understand a word in light of one of its connotations, despite the fact that this connotation is not the primary intent of the word.
2) To explain a word or phrase.
3) The actuality of an event.

With these two definitions in mind, there are five main opinions as to the difference between tafseer and taweel, as follows: [3]
  • They are equivalent in meaning. This was the opinion of at-Tabaree (d. 310A.H.), as his commentary of the Qur'aan uses these two terms interchangeably. 
  • Tafseer is used in explaining a word which carries only one meaning, whereas taweel is used in choosing one of the connotations of a word that possesses many connotations. 
  • According to al-Maatureedee (d. 333 A.H.), when the interpretation is based on certain knowledge, this is called tafseer, whereas when it is based on personal reasoning (ijtihaad), it is known as taweel. 
  • Aboo Taalib at-Tha'labee held the view that tafseer was the explanation of the literal meaning of the verse, whereas taweel was the actual intent behind the verse. For example, the tafseer of the verse,
"Verily, your Lord is ever-Watchful [89:14]
is that Allaah is aware of all that man does, but the ta'weel is that the verse is a warning to man not to lapse into sins or to belittle the commandments of Allaah. 
  •  Tafseer is meant to give the meanings of the individual words in a verse, whereas taweel gives the meaning of the verse as a whole.
There is no one correct opinion amongst these five, since various authors use these two words in all of these meanings. However, the most common understanding in modern usage of the two words is the second one, namely that tafseer is used to explain the meaning or intent of a verse which has only one connotation, whereas taweel is used when one of the possible connotations of a verse or word is chosen over the others due to external factors.

II. The Necessity and Importance of Tafseer

The question arises: Why is there a need for tafseer? After all, does not Allaah say in the Qur'aan:
"Verily this Qur'aan leads to the path that is most right" [17:9]
and thus everybody can find the Straight Path through this Book? And is not the Qur'aan a complete source of guidance in and of itself, as it says,
"And We have sent down the Book to you as an explanation for everything, a guidance, a mercy and glad tidings for Muslims" [16:89]:
Indeed, it is true that anyone who approaches the Qur'aan with a pure heart, seeking the guidance of Allaah, will find it. As Allaah says,
"This (Qur'aan) is a declaration for mankind, a guidance and an admonition for those who ward off evil" [3:138]

But this in no way implies that a person who is unaware of the numerous hadeeth of the Prophet (SAW) in explaining the Qur'aan, and of the reasons behind the revelation of specific verses, and of the intricacies of Arabic grammar and principles of rhetoric, and of the various qiraaat, and of the knowledge of the abrogated rulings, and of all of the other topics of 'uloom al-Qur aan will benefit from the Qur'aan to the same degree that a person who does know these facts will.

For example, an Arabic linguist or grammarian might be able to see a certain wisdom behind the phrasing of a verse that the average person may not. A person specialised in the topics of 'uloom al-Qur aan will be better able to grasp the intended meanings of a verse, and derive rulings from it, in contrast to the average layman, who is not qualified to derive rulings from the Qur'aan.

As-Suyootee also discusses the necessity of 'tafseer in his al-Itqaan.[4] He begins by stating that it is a known fact that Allaah communicates with man in a way that the will be able to understand. This is the reason that every messenger has been sent in the language of his people. However, there are three basic reasons why tafseer is necessary despite these facts.

  • First of all, Allaah uses the most clear, eloquent and concise language, and in doing so the meaning is clear to those who are well-grounded in the Arabic language, but not so clear to those who are not. 
  • Secondly, the Qur'aan itself does not always mention the events or references for which each particular verse was revealed, and these must be known in order for the verse to be fully and totally understood. 
  •  Lastly, some words may have multiple meanings, and it is the job of the person that does tafseer to explain what is meant by the word.
It can be said that the purpose of tafseer is to elaborate the principles which the Qur'aan came to clarify:[5]
  1. The elaboration of a perfect set of beliefs with regards to the Creator, and the relationship of the created with the Creator.
  2. The perfection of personal conduct and good morals.
  3. The establishment of a set of laws and code of conduct to govern individual and familial relations.
  4. The establishment of laws governing societal and political dealings between com munities and nations.
  5. The narrations of the history of the previous nations, so that the pious among them may be followed, and the impious to act as a warning.
  6. To give the good news of Paradise and the blessings in store for the believers, and the evil tidings of the punishment of Hell in store for the disbelievers.
  7. To prove the truthfulness of the Prophet (SAW), and this is done by explaining the miraculous nature of the Qur'aan (i'jaaz).

Therefore, the job of a mufassir is to explain all of the above points to mankind. From the above discussion, the importance of tafseer should become apparent. The science of tafseer is meant to explain to mankind the Book that has been revealed to them from Allaah. The Qur'aan is like a treasure trapped in a glass receptacle; mankind can view and benefit from this treasure, but they are in need of tafseer, for tafseer acts like the key that unlocks the treasure, so that mankind can benefit from it to the greatest possible extent.

Iyaas ibn Mu'aawiyah (d. 122 A.H.) said, "The example of a people who recite the Qur'aan and do not know its explanation is like a group of people who have a written message from their king that comes to them during the night, and they do not have a lamp. Therefore, they do not know what is in the message. The example of one who knows tafseer is like a person who comes to them with a lamp and reads to them what is in the message." [6]
And the Successor Sa'eed ibn Jubayr (d. 95 A.H.) said, "Whoever recites the Qur'aan and does not explain it, is like an ignorant person.

As-Suyootee said,
(The science of tafseer) is the most honourable of all sciences for three reasons. The first reason is with respect to its topic. It deals with the Speech of Allaah, which contains every kind of wisdom and virtue. It contains pronouncements about what has passed, reports of what will happen and judgements concerning what happens between the people. Its wonders never cease. The second reason is with respect to its goal. Its goal is to lead mankind to the firm handhold of Allaah, and to the true happiness, one that does not end. The third reason is with respect to the great need for this science. Every aspect of this religion and this world, in the near or distant future, is in need of the sciences of the sharee'ah and knowledge of the religion, and this knowledge can only be obtained through the understanding of the Book of Allaah. [7]

Apart from these reasons, the Qur'aan itself commands its readers to ponder over it, and to reflect upon its meanings, for it says,
"(This is) a Book which We have sent down to you, full of blessings, so that they may ponder over its verses, and that men of understanding may remember) [38:29]

It is the science of tafseer which is the fruit of 'pondering over its verses.'


1 az-Zarkashee, v. 2, p. 147.
2 as-Suyootee, v. 2, p. 223.
3 cf, as-Suyootee, v.2, pps. 221-2, ar-Roomee, pps. 8-9, Zarabozo, p. 14.
4 as-Suyootee, v.2, p. 223.
5 cf. Ik, pps. 64-66.
6 Both quotes taken from Zarabozo, ibid., p. 12.
7 as-Suyootee, v. 2, p. 224; c£ Zarabozo, p. 12.

Extracted from “The Sciences of the Qur’aan” published by Al Hidaayah
 

DISCLAIMER: All material found on Islamic Network Websites is for information purposes only.
The views expressed on Islaam.Net or on linked sites are not necessarily shared by Islamic Network.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Labels

? "Be" and it is 1000 19 9/11 abd ablution abomination Abraham abrogated Abu Bakr Abyssinia Adam Addiction admiration admittance adornment adultery advertising advice Aelia affliction Afghanistan After effects of masturbation afterplay age Agnostics Ahmed aids Aisha Ali Alif Laam Meem Alif Laam Raa Almighty Alone Amen america amino acids An-Nas anatagonism angels anger Animal anonymous anti christ apple Aqsa Arab Arabic argument Aristotle armageddon Army arrogant Ascension aspects assertiveness association astray Atheist atom attitude attributes authority awrah Awwah Ayah Azan Babylonia Back Badr baisan Balfour Ballet banished banks Battles Beast of the Earth beautiful Behind belief Believers Beneficent Benjamin Franklin betrothal better beware Bezmenov bible birth bishop Black blame Blessings blind blood Body bow Boys brainwash breasts Britain Brother Bukhari Bum burden burnt business Butt Byzantine calamity Caliphate calling Calvin camel capitalism caravan Caspian sea catholic Cats cattle Caucasus Cause Caution century change character Charity Chechnya Children china Choice Chosroes Christianity christians Chronicles church circumstances civilization Clay cleanliness climate Clothing coercion Coitus collapse Comfort Command communist companions compensation conditions Condom confidence conflict confrontation confusion congratulations conquest consciousness consent consequence Constantinople constitution consummation context contract Control conviction corruption covenant Crack Creation Creed crime crucifixion Crusade crux cuddling culture cure currency curse customs Da'wah Daff Dagestan dajjal Damascus Dance danger darkness Darwin dates daughter David Dawah day daybreak death decency deception Declaration decrees deeds Deen defeat defense defenseless Deist delusive democracy Demoralization depiction descent deserve design desires destabilization destiny Devil devotion Dhikr Dhul Qarnain Diaspora differ dimension disbelief discharge discipline discredit disguise disobey Disorder displease disposal Distraction divine divorce doctor doctrine dogma dominate Dr Dreams dressing Drugs Dua duty earth economy education ego Egypt Eid Eid ul Adha Ejaculation Emission emotions Empire enemy enjoining good and forbidding evil Enjoy environment envy epileptic era ere eschatology establish eternity Ethiopia Euphrates europe Eve Evil example exception exclusive excuse exhorting exile existence exodus experience expiation explanation Exposed expulsion Exquisite extremism Eyes Facts Faith Falaq fall false Family Fasting fate father Fear fellatio Female Feminine feminist fight Film Findlay fire first night Fitrah flogging Food fool foot forbidden Foreplay forgery forget forgive fornication fortune fragrance France freemasons freewill Fresh Freud friend functional future Galilee Games garden Garments Gay Gaze Gender Germany ghusl gift God godlessness gog magog gold Golden Age goodness gospel government gratitude Grave greed grief group Guidance guilty gun Habits Hadith Hadrian Hafsah Hajj Hameed HaMeem Handsome Hanging Happy haqooq haram harassment hardships harm harsh Hashim Haya Health heart Hejaz hell help Henry Ford Heraclius Hereafter hesitation hijab hijri hire history hitherto HIV Holy Land Homo Homosexuality honesty hope horizon horns hostile house Hudaybiyah Hug human humble humiliation Hurf husband hypocrites Iblees Ibrahim identity ideology ignorance Ihsan Illuminati imitate Imperialism implication impossible impotent Imran income tax India inevitable infiltration influence inheritance innocent inquisitive insight insinuations insist inspiration instinct integrity Intention intercourse interest Interpretation intifada intimacy intimidate intoxicants Intransitive Invasion invocation Iqbal Iran Iraq Iron Isaiah Ishmael Islam Islamic State Isra Israel Israr Jameela jassasa jealousy Jehovah Jerusalem Jesus jews Jihad jinn Job john Joke Jonah Jordan Joseph Joshua journey judaism judgment Juruf Justice Juwayriyah Juz kaafir Kahf kemal ataturk key Khadijah Khilafah Khorasan Kids kindness Kingdom Kiss knife Knights knots Know Knowledge labor landslide language LaRouche Laugh law laziness leader lecture legacy legalized fraud Legislation lesbians Letters liar liberalism licking life light limits Liwat loan logic Lord Lot love Lovers Low rise loyalty luke lure lust luxury mahram Maida Maimunah Majesty Makkah makruh Male manipulation Mankind manners mark Marriage martyr Mary Maryam Masjid massage Masturbation material matthew maturity media menstruation mercy Messenger Messiah metaphysics methodology Middle East Might Migration military mind Minute Miracle misconception Misunderstand miswak mockery model Modesty money Monks monogamy monotheism month moon morality Moses Mother Movies Mubarak Muqatta'at Music Muslim mystery Nafisah Nafs Najd naked Naml narration Nation nature negative Negus Neighbor New World Order Night Nikah Nile Nineteen Nisa Noble Nocturnal Noon normalization Nouman Ali Khan Nudity Nufaysah oath obedience obligation obsession oil Oklahoma Only oppression oral Orgasm Ottaman Ottoman oxygen pagans Pakistan Palestine panic paper currency Paradise Parents parliament partners path Patience Paul Peace Pearls penetration Penis People of the Cave perception perfume permission Perpetual persecution Persia persistent Perspective persuasion perversion pharaoh philanthropist Philosophy physical Plato please pledge plural society political polytheist poor Porn positions poverty power practice Pray Prayer pre-ejaculatory fluid preaching prediction Premature preparation prevention pride priority prison privacy private parts Proclaim prohibition Promiscuity promise prophecy Prophet Prophethood proposal Prostate protection proteins protestant proxy Psalms pslams Psychology pubic hair public punishment pure purpose pursue Qaaf Qarun Qiblah Qur'aan Qur'an Quraysh Qurbani rabbis race Racist rain Ramadhan Rape Rayhaanah Read reality realization reason rebellious rectum reformation Refuge rejection relapse relations Relations relatives release religion Remedy Remember repentance repercussions reprieve responsibility resurrection Revelation revenge revert Revolution reward Riba rich ridicule righteousness rights role romance Romans Rome ruling state Russia Saad Sabra Shatila sacrifice Saff Safiyah sagacious Sagging Sahih Saladin Salat Salman Farsi salvation sarcasm Satan satisfaction Satr Saudi Arabia Sawdah scandals scholars school sea of Galilee secular security seduction seek Self Semen Sense sermon Sex Sexuality shade shameful shariah Shawwal sheep Shirk Shoulder show shy Side Sight sign significance sin Sinai skill slaughter slaves Sleep Smile smoke Smoking Smooth snake social society Soldiers solidarity Solomon son Soul source Sovereignty spain Sperm Spider spiritual spoils spouse spread Stages Start stealing stimulation stoning Straight strategy strength Strive structure Struggle submission Subversion subverter success sucking Sufyan suicide suitor sulk Sunnah sunshine Superiority superstitions supplication support Supreme Surah surrender sustenance Sword symbols syphilis Syria system Ta'beer Tafseer Tahirah Tamim Dari tangible Taweel teacher tears Temptation terrorism test Testament Thank Think Thomas throne Thunder Tiberius Time Titus tongue Torah touch trade Transgress Transgressors tree trial triggers trinity triumph trust truth Turkey Turks turmoil TV Ubaidah UFO umar Umm Habibah Umm Salamah Umm ul Hakam unaware Under Understand Underwear Unique unity universe unlettered unseen USA usury Uthman vatican veil verses victory Video violation Violence Virgin virtue Vision wait wajib War Waraqah Warning weakness Wealth week Weishaupt western Wet Dream Whispers White why wickedness widow wife will wills Wisdom witch withdrawal witness Wolverine Woman words Worldly Worse Worship wrath Yakubov Yasin Yathrib year Yemen yitzhak Young Zachariah Zayd Zaynab bint Jahsh Zaynab bint Khuzaymah Zionism Zorastrian zughar Zukhruf