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Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
Understanding the Qur’an. What is needed? Syed H. Akhtar Austin, Texas
Before we take it upon ourselves to gain knowledge from the Qur’an, certain conditions are to be met, and certain limitations understood.
What I am referring to, is more than the simple commandments like, prohibiting stealing, lying, etc.
In Surah Jumua, chapter 62, verse 2, it is written: “It is He, Who has sent amongst the unlettered, an Apostle from among themselves, to rehearse (recite) to them His signs (Ayah of Qur’an), to sanctify (purify) them, and to instruct them (teach-Yu’allimuhum) them in the Scripture and (teach them) wisdom; although they had been before in manifest error.” (Allama Yusufali’s translation.)
From the above verse, it is clear that Prophet Muhammad pbuh&p was qualified (appointed by Allah swt) to impart knowledge of the Qur’an to mankind. The sequence of wording in the verse is important.
Firstly, recitation to memorize and preserve the verse or verses; secondly to purify the listener (purification brings humility, and opens the heart for receiving knowledge); thirdly, teach (impart) the knowledge; and finally impart wisdom.
If people by themselves were sufficient to gain knowledge of the Qur’an, then a Prophet of God was not needed to teach them. The book by itself was enough.
Prophetic sources available to help understand Qur’an. The Qur’an is a living book and it is a guide to all the people for all times. Therefore, there must be some way of obtaining the prophetic knowledge of the Qur’an to help and guide the Muslims, or any seeker of knowledge after prophet pbuh&p left us.
Indeed, he made provision for that. The famous Hadith, which is acknowledged by all schools of Islam, says: “I am the City of knowledge, and Ali is the Gate.” In other words, the repository of knowledge of Qur’an (Divinely bestowed knowledge, ‘Ilm e Laduni’) was available through Hazrath Ali, his cousin, son-In-law, and his successor.
To be sure, he said the following, as recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Suyuti’s Itqaan a follows: “Verily, the Holy Qur’an has been revealed on seven letters (levels of understanding based upon knowledge), of which there is no letter which has not a manifest (exoteric meaning) and a latent (esoteric) meaning; and Ali bin Abu Talib, with him is the manifest and the latent (of it).”
Hazrat Ali was known to be the most knowledgeable person of his time. Never a knowledge seeker came to him with a question, that he did not return satisfied with the answer or explanation. Nahjul Balagha is the book of collection of sermons, letters, and sayings of Hazrath Ali, which is considered next only to the Qur’an in knowledge, eloquence, and beauty.
Hazrath Ali made this famous statement when departure from this world was near, “Ask me before I leave,”
Hazrat Ali transferred his knowledge to his son, the succeeding Imam, who in turn transferred to his successor; so on and so forth. Thus, the knowledge of Qur’an possessed and in part expounded by the Prophet was transmitted to Imam Ali A.S. and subsequently given to other eleven purified Imams from his progeny. This is the guiding light for us to help understand a very small portion of the infinite knowledge contained in the Qur’an.
In Surah Buruj, v21, 22 Allah says: “Nay, this is a glorious Qur’an, (inscribed) in a tablet Guarded (Lauhin Mahfuz)”
“Had We sent down this Qur’an on a mountain, verily, thou would have seen it humble itself and cleave asunder for fear of God. Such are the similitudes which we propound to men, that they may reflect.” S. 59: v. 21.
“Do they not then earnestly seek to understand the Qur’an …” S. 47: v 24.
Thus, it is up to an individual to search for the knowledge in the Qur’an, with humility, earnestness, and tap on authentic teachings by sources designated by the Prophet pbuh&p.
(The End)
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