Tips on understanding the Quran

[Tamim Usmani]

Salam to everyone.  A source named  “Understand Al-Quran” by someone named Mimie Afzan writes on “7 Tips for understanding the Quran” as follows:

1)   Always purify your intentions.
2)   Use reliable translation if u don’t understand Arabic.
3)   Never study a Verse in isolation from other Verses and Hadiths on the topic.
4)   Prioritize the explanation of the Prophet and his companions.
5)   Check if there is a reason for revelation and under its relevance.
6)   Always clarify Fiqh and Aqeedah Verses with a scholar.
7)   Familiarize yourself with the sciences of the Quran (Uloom al-Quran) for a deeper understanding.

Your comments please.

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Walaikum As-Salam.

This source is also in Pinterest.   Click here to take a peek at their poster.

These 7 tips need plenty of filtering.

The first 2 points are fully correct.  You got to have pure intentions, and refer to a good and reliable translation if you don’t understand Arabic.   

Point 3 is partly right, not fully.   True there are several Verses that are connected with preceding or following Verses but not all Verses.   You have to be discerning by focusing on the Quran alone to understand this point.   Never link any Quran Verses with Hadith.  Always keep Verses of the Quran far isolated from Hadith otherwise it’s the surest way of misunderstanding the Quran.

The 4th point is a sneaky push to utilize Hadith to explain the Quran by forging the name of the Prophet (pbuh), a dreadful traditional practice we are all acquainted with.  Never follow this step.

Regarding point 5, I don’t know what this person means when they say "check reason for revelation and its relevance.”   The revelation of the entire Quran has a reason, to guide people in regard to every aspect of their spiritual and practical lives.   Every Verse is revealed with a reason which reflects from within the Noble Quran itself.  Anyone with an ounce of common sense can discern the reason for the revelation of all Quranic Verses.   If you need to check for any facts as the cause behind the revelation of any Verses, all you need to do is to stay focused within the Quran.  Whatever Allah Almighty wants us to know is clarified by the Quran itself.  There are certain Verses about which The Almighty does not want to mention too many details.  Those Verses must be left as Allah wants us to.  In such cases we do not need to go around checking for reasons as that would leave the door open for Hadith to step in with its fictions & tales to spread disinformation.

Regarding point 6, if anyone is unable to understand any Verse, they are surely welcomed to consult anyone who if well-read and well focused on the Quran only (not the Hadith) so they can discuss an independent explanation of Quranic Verses to the best of their knowledge without mixing their interpretations with Hadith.  Just about all “scholars” would mix their interpretations with Hadith.  Therefor it would be advisable that the person you consult is a learned Muslim not bogged down in traditionalism, without titles such as “scholar” or “shaikh" or "mufti."

7th and last point, “science of Quran” coming from traditionalists does not refer to the enormous scientific information contained within the Noble Quran, instead it refers to “isnad” involving the clever tactics of Hadith to unsuccessfully cover up its forgeries.  Therefore do not follow this point.  Rather, study the scientific contents revealed within the Quran. 

Stay focused within the Quran alone. 

[Tamim Usmani]

Shukran sister.  interesting.   i have also noted that instead of assessing the hadeeth based on the Quran, our shaikhs and muftis assess the Quran based on the hadeeth.

[N. Truth Seeker]

Shukran sister.  interesting.   i have also noted that instead of assessing the hadeeth based on the Quran, our shaikhs and muftis assess the Quran based on the hadeeth.

Unfortunately yes, this is the prime problem.