In Islam, is the Qur'an open to interpretation?

[mojtaba]

There is only one true understanding which is based on prophet Mohamed and his companions understanding.

Salamun Alaykum wa Rahmatullah.

Brother, why do you think that the understanding of Sahaba from Quran is equal with the understanding of Prophet Muhammad, so that it is completely true?

Dear brother, according to the authentic and Mutiwatir (frequent) Hadith of Theqlayn, only the understanding of Ahlul Bayt (as) is completely true and equal with the understanding of Prophet (sawaws). But Sahaba (Radhiyallahu Anhum) could err in this case.

Hadith of Theqlayn:

Prophet Muhammad (sawaws): 'Indeed, I am leaving among you, that which if you hold fast to them, you shall not be misguided after me. One of them is greater than the other: The Book of Allah is a rope extended from the sky to the earth, and my progeny - my Ahlul Bayt - and they shall not split until they meet me at the Hawdh [of Kowthar, in Hearafter], so look at how you deal with them after me."

One of the sources of this Hadith: Sunan At-Tirmidhi.

Waffaqakallah!

 

[Notanumber]

Yes but some verses are very hard to understand and some of them are used in jurisprudence so it's necessary to be expert to deduce the true meaning of the verse

Even Islamic experts refuse to debate the Quran and justify its contents in public.

 

[interminable]

Even Islamic experts refuse to debate the Quran and justify its contents in public.

To some extent yes because the interpretation of the Qur'an is very hard and needs encompassing of some islamic science that learning them take some years and those who aren't knowledgeable shouldn't interpret the quran since it's forbidden by prophet muhammad pbuh

It's reason is simple
Some verses of Quran have some meaning and interpretations and a learned and pious man can deduce the true meaning but those who seek their passions will interpret it as they want and their place will be hell

 

[Notanumber]

Even Islamic experts refuse to debate the Quran and justify its contents in public.

I thought this was going to prove me wrong, but I will have to keep on looking.

 

[Limo]

Yeah I read those posts. How do you know you're not missing the true understanding, and the Mu'tazilites have it?

If you didn't understand the second question that's OK you still understood 4 out of 5.

I've answered your questions collectively but not one by one. I'll detail more and answer new ones.

Mu'tazilites like others, if they're not following the right way of understanding of Qur'an by Quran or by prophet sayings or by history or by language then it's false understanding. When we challenge their understanding we found it contradicts even with the Qur'an itself.
So we review the understanding with Qur'an, hadeeth, language, history and found it can't be like this.

Your previous questions
Q:who decides what the one true understanding is?
Q:Who decides what is the correct way to view the Qur'an?
Q:The correct theology?
The standards are agreed and most of it are defined in quran and by Prophet himself. Qur'an should be explained by Qur'an, Hadeeth, language, history
Any explanation and understanding appeared in history has been evaluated against these standards by scholars. if all or at least most of scholars found deviation from these standards they challenge and debate with the creator and explain the errors in methodology and understanding using quran and Hadeeth.

I don't understand "What of the various other ways of understanding the Qur'an which flourished prior to Ashari hegemony taking hold in the first few centuries AH?"
What do you mean by Ashari? hegemony?

 

[Kirran]

I've answered your questions collectively but not one by one. I'll detail more and answer new ones.

Mu'tazilites like others, if they're not following the right way of understanding of Qur'an by Quran or by prophet sayings or by history or by language then it's false understanding. When we challenge their understanding we found it contradicts even with the Qur'an itself.
So we review the understanding with Qur'an, hadeeth, language, history and found it can't be like this.

Your previous questions
Q:who decides what the one true understanding is?
Q:Who decides what is the correct way to view the Qur'an?
Q:The correct theology?
The standards are agreed and most of it are defined in quran and by Prophet himself. Qur'an should be explained by Qur'an, Hadeeth, language, history
Any explanation and understanding appeared in history has been evaluated against these standards by scholars. if all or at least most of scholars found deviation from these standards they challenge and debate with the creator and explain the errors in methodology and understanding using quran and Hadeeth.

I don't understand "What of the various other ways of understanding the Qur'an which flourished prior to Ashari hegemony taking hold in the first few centuries AH?"
What do you mean by Ashari? hegemony?

R.e. Mu'tazilities - how does their view of the Qur'an contradict the Qur'an?

When you say the standards are agreed, they very clearly are not, by dint of the fact there's variation within Islam.

Ashari was the school of Islam theology which became dominant in the 10th century and was partly responsible for the death of scientific endeavour in the Arab world during the period. During the first couple centuries AH, there was a lot of variation in views about the nature of the Qur'an - not all Muslims saw it as word-for-word written by God, for example, while there was also substantial questioning of the completeness and infallibility of the Uthmanic compilation. This freedom of thought has been crushed by hegemonising influences over time.

 

[Limo]

Salamun Alaykum wa Rahmatullah.

Brother, why do you think that the understanding of Sahaba from Quran is equal with the understanding of Prophet Muhammad, so that it is completely true?

Dear according to the authentic and Mutiwatir (frequent) Hadith of Theqlayn, only the understanding of Ahlul Bayt (as) is completely true and equal with the understanding of Prophet (sawaws). But Sahaba (Radhiyallahu Anhum) could err in this case.

Hadith of Theqlayn:

Prophet Muhammad (sawaws): 'Indeed, I am leaving among you, that which if you hold fast to them, you shall not be misguided after me. One of them is greater than the other: The Book of Allah is a rope extended from the sky to the earth, and my progeny - my Ahlul Bayt - and they shall not split until they meet me at the Hawdh [of Kowthar, in Hearafter], so look at how you deal with them after me."

One of the sources of this Hadith: Sunan At-Tirmidhi.

Waffaqakallah!

Walikom alsalam w rahamtu Allah wa barakatoh my brother
Let me first advices you (as this is one of your rights on me)
Don't take what is said as facts unless you verify your self
Hadeeth Althqalyen is not Mutwater.
Mutwater means many people narrated it from many people which is not the case with this Hadeeth.
The narrated one in Trmezy is Daeef weak, also other narrated in other books are Daeef weak except one in Muslim
Sorry it's in Arabic

وأنا تارك فيكم الثقلين أولهما كتاب الله فيه الهدى والنور فخذوا بكتاب الله وأستمسكوا به ) , قال زيد : فحث على كتاب الله ورغب فيه ثم قال : ( وأهل بيتي أذكركم الله في أهل بيتي أذكركم الله في أهل بيتي أذكركم الله في أهل بيتي ) أخرجه الإمام مسلم في صحيحه

Nevertheless, if you look deeper in all these Hadeethes you'll find that Prophet is directing us to take care of 2 high valued subjects. first is Qur'an and he detailed the benefits of Qur'an.
Then moved to the other subject take care of my family Ahlalbyt. he repeated several times take care of my family.
Nothing can be understood from Hadeethes that his family has better understanding of Qur'an or they should have exclusive understanding.
Ahlalbyt are part of Sahaba companions.

Companions specially ones who were there with Prophet from beginning. they've lived the history when Qur'an was revealed among them. they had the chance to learn Qur'an from Prophet himself, he was explaining, he was answering their questions.
We love Ahlalbyt, they're part of Sahaba, we're abide to Prophet instructions to take care of them.
When it comes to understanding of Qur'an Ali is one of the best Sahaba. he was there since early beginning same as Abubkr, Omar, Uthman.
Raydya Allah anhm gamyaa
Thanks dear brother
May Allah guide me and you to the truth and the straight way

 

[Limo]

R.e. Mu'tazilities - how does their view of the Qur'an contradict the Qur'an?

When you say the standards are agreed, they very clearly are not, by dint of the fact there's variation within Islam.

Ashari was the school of Islam theology which became dominant in the 10th century and was partly responsible for the death of scientific endeavour in the Arab world during the period. During the first couple centuries AH, there was a lot of variation in views about the nature of the Qur'an - not all Muslims saw it as word-for-word written by God, for example, while there was also substantial questioning of the completeness and infallibility of the Uthmanic compilation. This freedom of thought has been crushed by hegemonising influences over time.

You've deeper knowledge than expected about Islam. thats fine.
The standards of understanding Qur'an are driven from Qur'an itself. from the beginning whoever doesn't follow means disagree then his methodology is wrong and his explanation defiantly leads to false understanding.
Mu'tazilities we read Qur'an and think by ourselves, if we accept this then it's correct if we don't accept then it's wrong and should find an explanation.
What is wrong with this methodolgy?
Their leader/thinker is the only judge/reference for acceptance and denial
Then every group of persons will have a leader and follow his understanding
It ends up with hundreds or thousands of groups
But this is not the issue. this is just a result of the methodology.
The issues are they've denied many things especially Allah's attributes.
They said Allah neither listens nor see nor talk nor,,,,
It ends up denying that Allah can talk and Allah didn't say the Qur'an. Qur'an is a creature. And many errors in theology and practicing Islam.
Allah said in Quran several times "
Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing."
But they say no Allah doesn't see and doesn't hear. and what is meant here is the knowledge.
As you note they denied the clear direct words that mean clearly to all people hearing and seeing to knowledge.
Which doesn't make any sense from linguistic point of view even.
Ahm Ashara followers of Abu-Alhassan Alashary.
Actually Alashara was against Mu'tazilities. they debated against them hardly. it's recorded historically that they've defeated Mu'tazilities.
They were not dominant at any period of time. Actually they had a few mistakes as well in Allah's attributes but not as vague as Mu'tazilities.
They were controlling Alazhar but their false thoughts are decaying now.

Absolutely no good Muslim think that Qur'an is incomplete or changed not even Mu'tazilites.

 

[Kirran]

You've deeper knowledge than expected about Islam. thats fine.
The standards of understanding Qur'an are driven from Qur'an itself. from the beginning whoever doesn't follow means disagree then his methodology is wrong and his explanation defiantly leads to false understanding.
Mu'tazilities we read Qur'an and think by ourselves, if we accept this then it's correct if we don't accept then it's wrong and should find an explanation.
What is wrong with this methodolgy?
Their leader/thinker is the only judge/reference for acceptance and denial
Then every group of persons will have a leader and follow his understanding
It ends up with hundreds or thousands of groups
But this is not the issue. this is just a result of the methodology.
The issues are they've denied many things especially Allah's attributes.
They said Allah neither listens nor see nor talk nor,,,,
It ends up denying that Allah can talk and Allah didn't say the Qur'an. Qur'an is a creature. And many errors in theology and practicing Islam.
Allah said in Quran several times "
Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing."
But they say no Allah doesn't see and doesn't hear. and what is meant here is the knowledge.
As you note they denied the clear direct words that mean clearly to all people hearing and seeing to knowledge.
Which doesn't make any sense from linguistic point of view even.
Ahm Ashara followers of Abu-Alhassan Alashary.
Actually Alashara was against Mu'tazilities. they debated against them hardly. it's recorded historically that they've defeated Mu'tazilities.
They were not dominant at any period of time. Actually they had a few mistakes as well in Allah's attributes but not as vague as Mu'tazilities.
They were controlling Alazhar but their false thoughts are decaying now.

So what is the correct theological school, would you say?

And the centre of Mu'tazilism is the nature of the Qur'an as created by God as opposed to co-eternal with Him - all else is secondary.

Absolutely no good Muslim think that Qur'an is incomplete or changed not even Mu'tazilites.

This is taking modern normative understandings and saying 'this is what Islam is' - there have always been those who would disagree with this statement. They were most numerous in the first couple centuries AH - we find many traditions of questioning the validity of the Uthmanic compilation, but it was sponsored by the Emperors of the time so dissent has largely been quashed. Variation in this area is rising again now.

 

[Limo]

So what is the correct theological school, would you say?

And the centre of Mu'tazilism is the nature of the Qur'an as created by God as opposed to co-eternal with Him - all else is secondary.



This is taking modern normative understandings and saying 'this is what Islam is' - there have always been those who would disagree with this statement. They were most numerous in the first couple centuries AH - we find many traditions of questioning the validity of the Uthmanic compilation, but it was sponsored by the Emperors of the time so dissent has largely been quashed. Variation in this area is rising again now.

Correct theological school is the school of Sahaba and early centuries understanding it doesn't have a name but when deviations started there were people who shined and faced these deviations.
Let me tell you something, whenever you find a school name or a group name or sect name other than Islam think about the driver of having a different name rather than Islam.
I never heard about any caliph who questioned the completeness or changes in Qur'an. will you give examples?

 

[Kirran]

Correct theological school is the school of Sahaba and early centuries understanding it doesn't have a name but when deviations started there were people who shined and faced these deviations.
Let me tell you something, whenever you find a school name or a group name or sect name other than Islam think about the driver of having a different name rather than Islam.
I never heard about any caliph who questioned the completeness or changes in Qur'an. will you give examples?

Ah, but people disagree on who deviates Right, actually I tend to find sectarianism and labels in the more literalist and fundamentalist schools. Sunni, Shia, all that. It's the liberal Muslims who seem to be really carrying the torch.

I didn't say any Caliphs questioned the Qur'an - I said that they enforced a particular view of the Qur'an and quenched all variation in thought.

 

[Coder]

Many Christians (mainly fundamentalists) feel that interpreting the Bible is wrong, and it should be viewed in a literal sense, in its entirety.

Thankfully, no one interprets this literally: Matthew 5:30

 

[Limo]

Ah, but people disagree on who deviates Right, actually I tend to find sectarianism and labels in the more literalist and fundamentalist schools. Sunni, Shia, all that. It's the liberal Muslims who seem to be really carrying the torch.

I didn't say any Caliphs questioned the Qur'an - I said that they enforced a particular view of the Qur'an and quenched all variation in thought.

The right believe is with the majority of muslims.
Where is the majority stands you'll find the true Islam.
Ahlal Alsunah wa Algamaaa is the majority. it means people who follows prophet Mohamed's way and the gathering of muslims. they're the majority and will be. they're on the straight way of Islam and others are the deviations
They're following prophet Mohamed way, understanding, Hadeeths.
They love and respect all Sahaba, the love and respect prophet family and desendents.
All others are followers of someone else or deviation started because of someone else other than Prophet Mohamed

 

[Kirran]

The right believe is with the majority of muslims.
Where is the majority stands you'll find the true Islam.
Ahlal Alsunah wa Algamaaa is the majority. it means people who follows prophet Mohamed's way and the gathering of muslims. they're the majority and will be. they're on the straight way of Islam and others are the deviations
They're following prophet Mohamed way, understanding, Hadeeths.
They love and respect all Sahaba, the love and respect prophet family and desendents.
All others are followers of someone else or deviation started because of someone else other than Prophet Mohamed

Really, so we can automatically discount minority groups such as Shi'ites on account of their not being the majority?

By the same logic, Christianity's got more followers than Islam so....

I don't see why the fact that a tradition is currently predominant and claims to be following in the tradition of Muhammad has more of a claim to truth than a tradition which is not and nevertheless claims to be following in the tradition.

 

[Limo]

Really, so we can automatically discount minority groups such as Shi'ites on account of their not being the majority?

By the same logic, Christianity's got more followers than Islam so....

I don't see why the fact that a tradition is currently predominant and claims to be following in the tradition of Muhammad has more of a claim to truth than a tradition which is not and nevertheless claims to be following in the tradition.

Not at all.
This is something applied on Islam. prophet Mohamed said my nation don't gather/agree on something bad

Also historically, there were Muslims (majority) all the time since prophet era. then something happened political or theological then a small group take a side and have a name.
The majority stay as they're representing original Islam.

Prophet Mohamed said several times to Sahaba and accordingly to all Muslims all over history, stay with Gamaa means gathering or group or majority, be as me and my companions.

 

[idav]

Well since Islam seems to have no central authority like Christianity has, who is there to say 'this interpretation is wrong' and 'this is the right way'?

Depends on which Hadiths you want to believe.

Different branches of Islam (Sunni, Shia, Wahabi, Ibadi) as well as the Ahmadiyya refer to different collections of hadith, and the relatively small sect of Quranists reject the authority of any of the hadith collections.[10][11]

https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadith

 

[Servant_of_the_One1]

Speaking as an anti-theist and advocate for the end of Islam as a doctrine with religious intent, I currently feel that an accurate answer would be twofold.

On the one hand, I am so often told of the importance of the Qur'an and of how disastrous it is to even take the Ahadith too seriously that it certainly seems difficult to deny that the Qur'an must indeed be viewed (according to Islam) by a perspective that is, if not rigid and literal, at least remarkably careful to choose among often very disparate readings.

On the other hand, that is only possible because the text is not particularly clear to begin with, and therefore it must follow that a good Muslim needs in fact to interpret the Qur'an even if he would rather not. The only alternative would be to let someone else do the interpretation and borrow from there, but I am also told that Muslims don't really approve of that.

A more pragmatic yet perhaps more significant consideration is that most Muslims, like most other people, tend to avoid potentially difficult discussions of proper doctrine unless given either some form of reassurance that those difficult matters will not be raised or else a clear reason to run that risk.

TLDR: No, they are not permitted to freely interpret the Qur'an, mainly because much of the point of having it is to establish clear, rarely questioned paramenters for social behavior.

Yet, at the same time, most if not all Muslims can't help but ultimately accept the need to choose some interpretation among several. They usually won't like to admit that need, but they will feel it nonetheless.

With comment like " i advocate the end of islam" doesnt make u really different than wilders.

But i could be wrong

 

[Servant_of_the_One1]

That's probably not true. A lot of Muslims here have said that the Qur'an is simple and easy for anyone to understand.

Its simple indeed.

In Quran the Oneness of Allah is clearly mentioned.
The painful destination of rejectors of faith is also mentioned in clear words.

That Allah and His Messengers will prevail on the judgement day is also mentioned.

Minor stuffs part of the religious duties is mentioned in Hadith.

 

[Kirran]

Not at all.
This is something applied on Islam. prophet Mohamed said my nation don't gather/agree on something bad

Also historically, there were Muslims (majority) all the time since prophet era. then something happened political or theological then a small group take a side and have a name.
The majority stay as they're representing original Islam.

Prophet Mohamed said several times to Sahaba and accordingly to all Muslims all over history, stay with Gamaa means gathering or group or majority, be as me and my companions.

So how come majority understanding has changed over time?

So what, most Muslims wouldn't count themselves as Sunni, Shi'a, Sufi, Ibadi, Ahmadi, Five Percenter, Alevi, Alawite...?

It is not inconceivable that some Chinese whispers have come into effect over the last 1400 years.

 

[Limo]

Majority understanding never changed
the majority was there since day 1
Ahl al Sunna wa Algamaa the indeed
With no doubt Sunnis are the majority all over the history