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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Honest Opinion |
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| bismilla |
| 04/08/04 at 03:14:26 |
| As Salamu Alaikum Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem [u]Honest Opinion[/u] In this delicate era of technology, access to anything and everything has never been easier. This tirade has engulfed the field of religion too. Internet access has given every individual the opportunity to delve and dabble with the meanings of the Quran and Hadith, hence formulating their own perceptions, ideas, interpretations and understanding of the Noble Quran and Islamic law. The world wide web surely does have great benefits which is clearly evident, however the dangers seem to be relentlessly overpowering. A person who has very little or no knowledge of the Arabic language, desperately struggles to recite the Arabic text of the Noble Quran and possesses surface knowledge of relevant and necessary Islamic masaail (rulings) has overnight turned into a great professor in tafseer challenging senior scholars based on the availability of internet access. This is a very dangerous and slippery path for anyone to thread. The Quran is guidance for all humanity but not everyone who reads it will get guidance from it. Quran reserves its guidance for those who sincerely seek it and approach it in the proper way and the right attitude. Many who have ignored these basic requirements have gone astray in their study of the Quran. Interpreting the Quran requires expertise in several areas. First, one must have a firm command over classical Arabic language including its vocabulary, grammar, metaphors, and idioms. Furthermore, one must be leading a life of taqwa and piety, as the Qur'an does not open doors to its understanding on those who are not serious in following it. A list of 14 sciences need to be mastered under the supervision of an expert and reliable tutor before one attempts interpretation. We cannot just open the Quran and start interpreting it as if we are starting on ground zero. Anyone taking this road must be reminded of this grave warning - Abdullah bin Abbas, (radiyallahu anhuma), reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, "Whoever says something in interpreting the Quran based on his own opinion should find his place in the Fire." (Tirmizi) This casual attitude must be contrasted with that of the Companions. They not only new the language of the Quran better then anyone else, they were witnesses to its very revelation. Yet, they did not dare interpret it without first learning it, verse by verse, from Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) himself. And even then they exercised extreme caution in making comments about the Quran. They knew that Quran declares that is has been made easy for remembrance, but they did not misinterpret it as a license to give personal opinions in areas of belief or law. Their caution stemmed from their realization that to say that a verse means such and such, is to attribute a statement to Allah! It is our duty to study the Quran. However, the only proper way of doing it is by seeking a reliable Tafseer and/or a qualified teacher. by Moulana Muhammad Ameer Source : http://www.jamiat.org.za/isinfo/HonestOpinion.htm |
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