The Need for an Additional Qualification

INTERPRETATION BASED ON PERSONAL INSIGHT such a book would contradict its very purpose. If that were to occur, Muslims would face intellectual stagnation. They would neither advance themselves nor will they be able to lead humanity in knowledge and thought. The fact is, there are two types of interpretations of the Quran. One is the interpretation carried out with careful reflection, and the other is done without it. The second type is known as Tafsir bil-ra’y—interpreting based on personal opinion. Interpreting with reflection means the reader should have a strong understanding of the Arabic language, as well as knowledge of Hadith and early Islamic sources. He shouldn’t interpret the Quran by focusing on just one verse in isolation, but should consider the overall message and purpose of the Quran as a whole. He should also have deep knowledge of other subjects related to the Quran. Similarly, he should be well-acquainted with the interpretations offered by recognised religious scholars from the earliest times to later periods. Alongside all this, he should cultivate the quality of piety within himself, which the Quran describes as the source of true knowledge (Al-Baqarah: 282). This is the proper way to interpret the Quran. In contrast, tafsir bil-ra’y (interpretation based on personal opinion) occurs when someone relies solely on their own reasoning. Any thought that occurs to them about a verse, they start to present it as the Quran’s interpretation— regardless of whether it fits the context of the verse or aligns with the Quran’s overall teachings. Here are some examples of such personal interpretations.