Part of Concepts of Ahl as-Sunnah (series completed)
· Lesson 478 of 1251
Summary of Sunni concepts | Concept (476) | Interpretation in the Holy Quran
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A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
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The concept of ta'wil (interpretation/realization) in the Noble Qur'an.
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The term ta'wil appears in the Noble Qur'an in connection with three matters:
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The verses of the Book, visions, and actions.
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In all these instances, it remains consistent with its linguistic meaning.
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Regarding the ta'wil of the verses of the Book, Allah the Almighty says:
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“Await they aught save the fulfilment thereof? On the day when the fulfilment thereof cometh, those who were before forgetful thereof will say: The messengers of our Lord did bring the Truth! Have we any intercessors, that they may intercede for us? Or can we be returned (to life on earth), that we may act otherwise than we used to act? They have lost their souls, and that which they devised hath failed them.” (7:53)
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“Await they aught save the fulfilment thereof? On the day when the fulfilment thereof cometh, those who were before forgetful thereof will say: The messengers of our Lord did bring the Truth! Have we any intercessors, that they may intercede for us? Or can we be returned (to life on earth), that we may act otherwise than we used to act? They have lost their souls, and that which they devised hath failed them.” (7:53)
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Its ta'wil, meaning the realization of the promises and warnings contained therein on the Day of Resurrection.
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This realization and occurrence on the Day of Resurrection
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Is, most likely, what is intended by the ta'wil of the ambiguous verses
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Mentioned in the words of the Almighty:
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“He it is Who hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture wherein are clear revelations - they are the substance of the Book - and others (which are) allegorical. But those in whose hearts is doubt pursue, forsooth, that which is allegorical seeking (to cause) dissension by seeking to explain it. None knoweth its explanation save Allah. And those who are of sound instruction say: We believe therein; the whole is from our Lord; but only men of understanding really heed.” (3:7)
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And others that are ambiguous.
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“He it is Who hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture wherein are clear revelations - they are the substance of the Book - and others (which are) allegorical. But those in whose hearts is doubt pursue, forsooth, that which is allegorical seeking (to cause) dissension by seeking to explain it. None knoweth its explanation save Allah. And those who are of sound instruction say: We believe therein; the whole is from our Lord; but only men of understanding really heed.” (3:7)
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Seeking discord and seeking its ta'wil.
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“He it is Who hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture wherein are clear revelations - they are the substance of the Book - and others (which are) allegorical. But those in whose hearts is doubt pursue, forsooth, that which is allegorical seeking (to cause) dissension by seeking to explain it. None knoweth its explanation save Allah. And those who are of sound instruction say: We believe therein; the whole is from our Lord; but only men of understanding really heed.” (3:7)
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“He it is Who hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture wherein are clear revelations - they are the substance of the Book - and others (which are) allegorical. But those in whose hearts is doubt pursue, forsooth, that which is allegorical seeking (to cause) dissension by seeking to explain it. None knoweth its explanation save Allah. And those who are of sound instruction say: We believe therein; the whole is from our Lord; but only men of understanding really heed.” (3:7)
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And none will be reminded except those of understanding.
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For those in whose hearts is deviation seek to understand the ambiguous verses
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According to their worldly understanding and the realization of that understanding.
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This is just as Abu Jahl understood the number of the nineteen guardians of Hell,
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Thinking they were like humans and could be defeated by a larger number.
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He intended by this to mislead people and remove their fear of entering the Fire.
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The truth and reality is that none knows its ta'wil except Allah.
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There is no way for humans to know its reality and ultimate outcome
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Except after it occurs on the Day of Resurrection.
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As for the ta'wil of visions,
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It is mentioned in Surah Yusuf in several places,
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All of which carry the meaning of the vision’s realization in reality.
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Among them is the statement of Yusuf to his father, peace be upon them both:
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"O my father, this is the ta'wil of my vision from before; my Lord has made it true."
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Meaning: this is the explanation of the vision and its realization in reality.
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As for the ta'wil of actions,
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An example is the statement of al-Khidr to Musa, peace be upon him, at the end of his story with him:
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"That is the ta'wil of that over which you could not have patience."
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Meaning: this is the reality of the actions and matters I performed which you disapproved of and found strange,
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And for which you could not wait to know their reality.
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Also from this is the statement of Sayyidah 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her:
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The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to say in his bowing (ruku'):
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"Glory be to You, O Allah, our Lord, and with Your praise.
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O Allah, forgive me."
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He was fulfilling the Qur'an.
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Agreed upon.
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Her statement "he was fulfilling the Qur'an"
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Means he was implementing what Allah commanded him to do in His Book, in the words of the Almighty:
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“Then hymn the praises of thy Lord, and seek forgiveness of Him. Lo! He is ever ready to show mercy.” (110:3)
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The term ta'wil is also used to mean Tafsir (exegesis),
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As in the statement of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to Ibn 'Abbas:
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"O Allah, grant him deep understanding of the religion and teach him the Tafsir."
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Narrated by Ahmad.
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And as Ibn Jarir al-Tabari says in his Tafsir before every verse:
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"The discourse on the Tafsir of the words of Allah the Almighty,"
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By which he means the explanation of the verse.
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This also returns to the linguistic meaning,
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As the explanation of a thing clarifies its reality.
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A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.