Understanding the Qur’an

Understanding the Qur’an

1985 6 June 19 Understanding the Qur’an (407) “Wahab Ibn Abdullah Al-Sawa’i, who belonged to the generation after the companions of the Prophet, once asked Ali Ibn Abu Talib whether he possessed any divine inspiration which was not contained in the Qur’an. Ali swore an oath by the One who split the seed and brought life into existence, that they had nothing besides the Qur’an: the only additional source of inspiration was the true understanding of the Qur’an which God bestows upon a person” (Tafseer Ibn Kathir, Vol. II. p 77).

Ali’s answer shows that it is one thing to understand the written words of the Qur’an, and another to penetrate into the deep meanings of the Book of God. To understand the words of the Qur’an all one has to do is read it. But true understanding of Qur’anic meanings can only come from deep thought and contemplation. The Qur’an an ocean of profound meanings; only one who plunges into the depths of its waters can fathom the treasures it contains.

One can put this another way and say that to understand the words the Qur’an one has to know the Arabic language; but to understand the meaning of the Qur’an one needs to be versed in divine wisdom. One can study the Arabic language, read the Qur’an, and understand outward meaning. But the Qur’an has meanings that lie hidden beneath the surface. These meanings can only be understood by one who has illuminated his vision with the light of God.

All one has to do to ascertain the words of the Qur’an is open its pages. But to discover the Qur’an’s meanings one has to explore it in depth. One can sit and listen to a recital of the Qur'an, or hear some one else reading a translation, but this will only enable one to understand the words of the Qur’an. To penetrate to its inner meanings on the other hand, requires an effort on one’s own part.

If one only studies the Qur’an on a superficial level, it will only have a superficial effect on one; one’s belief in the Qur’an will lack the force of inner conviction. One who discovers the Qur’an in its inner meanings, one the other hand, develops a live attachment to the Book of God. The Qur’an becomes a source of inspiration and spiritual nourishment in his life. All his thoughts and actions spring from the Qur’an. It becomes the very life and soul of his existence.