Throughout history, many mistakes and wrong judgments have been made in the name of Islam. This is because scholars assume themselves to be authorized to explain the Quran. However, it is God Who has explained the Quran, and we are only allowed to obtain His explanations by means of the method He has taught. God calls this method to obtain His explanations “a science ( علم)” in the Quran. Let us take a brief look at this science:
WHO EXPLAINS THE QURAN IN DETAIL?
The Almighty God has decreed in the following verse that He has explained the Quran in detail according to a science:
وَلَقَدْ جِئْنَاهُم بِكِتَابٍ فَصَّلْنَاهُ عَلَى عِلْمٍ هُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
We have brought them a Book that We have explained in detail according to a science. It is a guide and a grace for a group of people who believe (Al-A’raf 7:52).
The main principle of this science is that nobody but God has the authority to explain the Quran verses. God explains His verses Himself by giving all the details about them in His Book. The Almighty God decrees:
الَر كِتَابٌ أُحْكِمَتْ آيَاتُهُ ثُمَّ فُصِّلَتْ مِن لَّدُنْ حَكِيمٍ خَبِيرٍ أَلاَّ تَعْبُدُواْ إِلاَّ اللّهَ إِنَّنِي لَكُم مِّنْهُ نَذِيرٌ وَبَشِيرٌ
Alif, Lam, Ra. This is a Book whose verses have been made decisive, and in the meantime have been explained in detail by the One Who judges correctly and is All-Aware; in order that you shall not serve any other than God. (Oh, Muhammad, say to people:) Indeed, I am the one who warns you with this Book and gives glad tidings to you from It (Hud 11:1-2).
According to these verses, accepting and complying with the explanations made by human beings, rather than made by God, causes us to be servants to those people. This means, whoever claims the authority to explain God’s verses has clearly strayed.
The details given by God may only be manifested by a group of experts. We learn this by the following verse:
كِتَابٌ فُصِّلَتْ آيَاتُهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ
This is a Book whose verses are explained in detail as ‘qurans’ in Arabic, for a group of people who know (Fussilat 41:3).
The group of people who know must have the knowledge of “The Science of Explaining the Quran” in the first place.
WHAT IS A ‘QURAN’?
The word “quran” derives from the verbal noun (masdar) of the word “qaraa (قرأ)” whose root meaning is “collection”. It is used as a noun having the meaning “maqru (مقروء)”, which can be translated as “unity” or “set”. Since “reading” is an act of “bringing the words together so as to understand the meaning”, the word “quran (قُرْآن)” is also assigned the meaning “reading”. There is not a plural form of the word. The same word is used to refer to both singular and plural meanings. Therefore the word “quran” may also mean “more than one quran : qurans”. So, “quran” is “a set or sets of verses”. As you can see, the word “quran” is a common noun in Arabic, as well as the proper name of the Book sent down to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
TYPES OF ‘QURAN’
There are five different types of sets that bring the verses together. They are as follows:
1- LAWH AL-MAHFOOZ
The greatest “quran” which covers all the other ones is “the Main Book in Lawh al-Mahfooz (the Protected Tablet)”. The related verse is:
إِنَّهُ لَقُرْآنٌ كَرِيمٌ . فِي كِتَابٍ مَّكْنُونٍ . لَّا يَمَسُّهُ إِلَّا الْمُطَهَّرُونَ . تَنزِيلٌ مِّن رَّبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ .
It (that which is in the location of the stars) is a ‘glorious quran’. It (that quran) is in a Book protected in its covering. No one touches It (that quran) except the purified. It has been sent down by the Master of all beings (Al-Waqiah 56:77-80).
That ‘glorious quran’ is the greatest set which is the source of all the verses God has sent down to His prophets (the nabi) from Adam (pbuh) onwards.
2- THE QURAN: THE FINAL BOOK SENT DOWN BY GOD
al-Quran al-kareem, usually translated as “The Noble Quran” or “Holy Quran” is the final divine Book sent down by God to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). In this day and age, the first thing that comes to mind when someone says “quran” is this one. Therefore, most people think that the word ‘quran’ is only the proper name of that divine Book.
3- SURAH
The second type of set of verses is a ‘Surah’. Each of the surahs (chapters) is also called “quran”. A relevant verse is:
وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَاكَ سَبْعًا مِنَ الْمَثَانِي وَالْقُرْآنَ الْعَظِيمَ
We have granted you seven of those pairs (mathani), (which are) the grand quran (chapter Fatiha) (Al-Hijr 15:87).
There is also a hadith that confirms this information: “… Alhamdu-lillahi Rabbil-‘Alamin (Surat-al-fatiha)’ which is the seven of repeated verses (Al-Mathani) and the Grand Quran which has been given to me.” (Bukhari)
4- SECTION OF A SURAH
The sets of verses within the chapters (surahs) are also called “quran”. Indeed, the verses which have been sent down at the very beginning of Muhammad’s (pbuh) prophethood have been called “quran” by God because they constitute a set of verses within the chapter they reside in. The relevant verse is as follows:
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيَ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ
Ramadan is the month when that quran (that set of verses) was sent down (Al-Baqarah 2:185).
5- SEMANTIC SET OF VERSES
There are also sets of verses which are not bound together. These sets are collections of verses in different chapters, and they are formed by using the method of mutashabih – mathani (similar – pairs). A relevant verse is:
وَقُرْآنًا فَرَقْنَاهُ لِتَقْرَأَهُ عَلَى النَّاسِ عَلَى مُكْثٍ وَنَزَّلْنَاهُ تَنْزِيلًا
We have separated It into qurans (subsets), so that you may read It to the people while they are in expectation; (because) we have sent It down part by part (Al-Isra 17:106).
When some new verses were sent down to the Messenger of God and those verses needed more detail to be able to make a decision on the relevant matter by using them, it created expectations for further verses to be sent down. Those expected verses would give details about and explain the previous verses sent down. This proves that verses belonging to the same semantic set could also be sent down part by part at different times. The following verse clarifies what is told above:
وَلَا تَعْجَلْ بِالْقُرْآنِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يُقْضَى إِلَيْكَ وَحْيُهُ وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا .
Do not hasten (to judge) with the sets of verses (qurans) before their revelations are completed. Say: “My Master, increase my knowledge!” (Ta-Ha 20:114).
The above verse illustrates that a semantic set of verses that provides us with complete information on a matter and lets us make a judgment on that matter is also called “quran” by God. This type of quran is the basis of “The Science of Explaining the Quran”. According to this science, every decisive verse has been explained in detail by other verses that are similar to the explained verse in some aspects, thus forming a semantic set together with the explained one. The whole Quran has been made “clear” and “complete” in this way by God.
HOW TO FORM A SEMANTIC SET
Now, let us see how the semantic sets are formed in this science. Here is an example to understand a semantic set better: Every phone number is a set of numbers, written by using the digits 0 to 9. Even if one digit is written falsely, the intended person cannot be reached.
The Quran explains everything in a manner similar to this. Sound information cannot be obtained unless the necessary semantic set is formed. Therefore, the experts must not rush to come to conclusions before the whole meaningful set on the subject of interest is discovered. Only then will it become apparent that there is not a single branch of science that would not improve from the Quran.
Prophet (nabi) Muhammad (pbuh) is both the Messenger and the teacher who was sent to communicate and teach the Quran, whereas Gabriel is the messenger and the teacher sent to him. Gabriel taught him both the Quran and the method of extracting sound information from It. All of the sayings and practices of Nabi Muhammad (pbuh) comprise an implementation of such information. Therefore, the Example (Sunnah) of nabi Muhammad (pbuh) is in perfect harmony and unity with the Quran. If scholars stick with the correct method, they can easily see this unity and discover and manifest the mistakes that have been made until now in the subject of Prophet (nabi) Muhammad’s sayings (hadith).
MAIN COMPONENTS OF A SEMANTIC SET
Below is the verse which summarizes the subject:
هُوَ الَّذِيَ أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ مِنْهُ آيَاتٌ مُّحْكَمَاتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَابِهَاتٌ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ في قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَابَهَ مِنْهُ ابْتِغَاء الْفِتْنَةِ وَابْتِغَاء تَأْوِيلِهِ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِلاَّ اللّهُ وَالرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ آمَنَّا بِهِ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ رَبِّنَا وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلاَّ أُوْلُواْ الألْبَابِ
It is He Who has sent down this Book to you. Some of its verses are decisive (muhkam) and are the main (verses) of the Book. The others are similar (mutashabih) (to decisive) ones. As for those in whose hearts are deviation, they follow those (verses) in the Book which are similar (to the deviation in their hearts); seeking to cause affliction by seeking to reset the linkage (tawil) of verses in the way they desire. However, no one knows the linkages of verses (the tawil) except God. Those who have solid knowledge of this science (of explaining the Quran) say: “We believe in this science; all of them (decisive one, similar one, and the linkage between) are from the level of our Master.” No one may obtain sound information (dhikr) except the people of integrity (Al-e Imran 3:7).
DECISIVE VERSE
A “muhkam (مُحكم)” verse is “the main verse which includes a judgment (decision) about a matter”. So, we have translated the word “muhkam” as “decisive”. Almost all of the verses are decisive on certain matters. This judgment is detailed and therefore explained by other verses that are similar (mutashabih) to the decisive one.
SIMILAR VERSE
“Mutashabih (مُتَشَابِه)” is “any of the two similar things”. In this science, it denotes the similarity between the verses which explain one another. This similarity may be both literal and semantic.
THE LINKAGE BETWEEN
“Ta’wil (تَأْوِيلِ)” is “directing something to its original target”. The target (aim) of a similar verse is the main verse in that set of verses, which is: the decisive verse. When considered from this point of view, ‘tawil’ is “linking the similar verse to the decisive one”. The linkages are set up by God; and a group of people that is comprised of experts of Arabic, of this science, and of the matter of interest can discover and manifest those linkages (relations).
PAIRS
“Mathani (مَثَانِي)” means “pairs”. It expresses the system of pairs which consist of decisive and similar verses. The relevant verse is:
اللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابًا مُّتَشَابِهًا مَّثَانِيَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَى ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ هُدَى اللَّهِ يَهْدِي بِهِ مَنْ يَشَاء وَمَن يُضْلِلْ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ
God has sent down the best of words (the verses) as a book arranged in similar pairs. This (arrangement method) gives shivers to those who are in awe of their Master. Then, their bodies and their hearts soften to the information from God. This is God’s guidance. He guides the ones who prefer it (following the guidance) by means of this (Book). Whoever God calls “astray”, there is no one who can call him “rightly guided” (Az-Zumar 39:23).
In conclusion, to be able to obtain the explanations made by God, a group of experts must find the decisive verse in regard to the matter, and then determine the similar (mutashabih) verses that have attributes in common with the decisive verse.
AN EXAMPLE OF FORMING THE SEMANTIC SET ON A SPECIFIC TOPIC
Below is an example that exhibits how “The Science of Explaining the Quran” has been extracted from the set of verses related to this matter:
COMMON POINT OF ALL DIVINE BOOKS: HIKMAT – THE WISDOM
The Book being self-explanatory by the use of this method is not exclusive to the Quran. It is a particular attribute of all divine Books, including the Torah and the Gospel, as long as the similarities are studied in the original language and the original words of revelation. We learn this by the word “al-hikmat ( الحكْمَة)” mentioned in the Quran.
We have translated “al-hikmat” into English as “the Wisdom”. In several verses, both the method and the sound information extracted from the verses utilizing this method are called “al-hikmat”. So, we can also call this “science” briefly “the Method of Hikmat”.
All of the prophets (nabi) have taught the Wisdom to their community. Nabi is a person whose worth has been increased by God by being granted the Book and the Wisdom. The Almighty God has mentioned the names of eighteen prophets (nabi) from Noah to Jesus in verses 6:83-84 and their consecutive verses, and has decreed:
اُولٰئِكَ الَّذٖينَ اٰتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحُكْمَ وَالنُّبُوَّةَ
Those are the ones to whom We have granted the Book, and the Wisdom and the prophethood (nubuwwat /being nabi) (Al-An’am 6:89).
Every nabi is commissioned to deliver the message that has been sent down to him. Therefore, every prophet (nabi) is also a messenger (rasul).
WHO TEACHES THE HIKMAT?
We understand by the following verse that the Messenger teaches the Wisdom:
كَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا فِيكُمْ رَسُولاً مِّنكُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْكُمْ آيَاتِنَا وَيُزَكِّيكُمْ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُعَلِّمُكُم مَّا لَمْ تَكُونُواْ تَعْلَمُون
Indeed, I have sent you a messenger from among yourselves. He recounts Our verses to you, improves you, and teaches you the Book and the Wisdom. He teaches you what you did not know before (Al-Baqarah 2:151).
A messenger is not allowed to add anything to the message he must deliver. That means, a messenger can teach the Wisdom only if the Wisdom itself is a part of the message that he delivers. Therefore, teaching the Wisdom (hikmat) while acting in the capacity of a messenger can be possible only if the method to obtain the Wisdom resides in the Quran. This method is the science of explaining the Quran that God has placed in the Qu’ran and that we have described above.
Attempting to explain the verses of the Quran in a way other than instructed by this science is putting the self in God’s place. Although God has such clear decrees, we cannot find any scholars who recognize or use this method. As a result of this, it is almost impossible to find a translation or commentary in which the verses describing this science have not been distorted.
After forty years of numerous meetings and efforts to understand the Quran, God has let us at Suleymaniye Vakfi attain this science, which has been forgotten since the Companions of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). This must be because He decrees:
وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
We shall certainly guide those who strive for Us to our ways. Certainly, God is with those who behave kindly (Al-Ankabut 29:69).
CONCLUSION
The natural order that God has established on the earth is in perfect harmony with the commands He has decreed in His books. God has established the order and then has sent divine Books as guides to be followed in order to maintain and preserve this natural order. In His books, He has linked certain verses to other verses methodically, which has constituted sets of verses that are fully manifest of meaning. He has described His method of linking verses to one another within the very same Books. So, a group of God’s servants who have integrity and who have learned this method from the Books will be able to discover the linkages among verses correctly and will be able to learn the explanations of God’s verses from His Books. This way, no one will have to revere or obey other people who claim the authority to explain God’s Books.
This is a perfect equilibrium set by God. If we abide by “The Science of Explaining the Quran” instead of considering human beings as the authority on God’s Book, the equilibrium will be preserved and all beings will be in peace. However, if we continue explaining the verses according to people’s assumptions and overrule the truth in God’s Book by man-made judgments, people will keep conflicting with each other, and the equilibrium will be spoiled.
The only way to live in peace is to fully trust in God’s Book, to understand that It includes the whole truth about all beings, to recognize God as the only authority, and to fully obey God’s commands.
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