The Quran Answers False Assessments of the Quran: Trying to Interpret the Qur'an with Old Traditions
Contents
- Introduction
- Prejudice, Ulterior Motives and Lack of Sincerity
- Confusing Intricate (Mutashabih) Verses With Perspicuous (Muhkam) Ones
- Lack of Expertise in Qur'anic Interpretation Techniques
- Insufficient Knowledge of Arabic
- The Absence of God-Given Wisdom and Understanding
- Lack of Thinking
- Arrogance and Superiority
- Trying to Interpret the Qur'an with Old Traditions
- Inability to Understand the Scientific Qur'anic Verses
- Trying to Interpret the Qur'an According to the Flawed Values of the Established Order
- Wine-drinking in Heaven
- Another Incorrect Interpretation on the Subject of Wine
- The Claim that "Pork Produced Under the Strict Hygienic Surroundings of Today May Be Consumed"
- Seeing the Anecdotes in the Qur'an as Fables
- The Assumption That the Qur'an is a Copy or Imitation of Other Holy Books
- Incompatibilities and Differences
- The Misinterpretation of the Term "We," Which God Uses in Reference to Himself
- Failing to Understand the Examples Given in the Qur'an
- Failing to Understand the Repetitions in the Qur'an
- Failing to Understand the Style of the Qur'an
- The Subject of Creation in Six Days
- The Speculation About Noah's Flood
- Conclusion
One of the greatest mistakes made when trying to interpret the Qur'an is making use of hearsay and superstitions from one's forefathers and of old traditions which are claimed to be the words of religion. People who do that follow an inherited traditional religion rather than the Qur'an, and at the same time try to adapt the Qur'an to that perverted religion. Their twisted mentality has been described in the Qur'an:
When they are told, 'Follow what God has sent down to you,' They say, 'We are following what we found our fathers doing.' What, even though their fathers did not understand a thing and were not guided!
This twisted view of religion, that is widespread among the uneducated, puts forward a model of belief that is completely different from and contradictory to the Islamic one. This model, which is presented under the name of Islam, in fact has no relation whatsoever with the true religion, ethics and lifestyle that are described in the Qur'an. This distorted model is based on traditions and old-fashioned superstitions and not on the Qur'an. The followers of this warped practice try to adapt the Qur'an and its verses to fit their traditions and superstitions. It is obviously impossible to explain the Qur'an with such nonsense. However, as mentioned in the Qur'an, these fabrications that are manufactured by "distorting the book with tongues" only serve to distance one from the Qur'an.
Such people try to give the impression that they base what they say on the Qur'an when trying to authenticate their ideas, interpretations, judgments and applications that are, in truth, far from anything the Qur'an actually represents. Yet, they cannot put together any logical explanation for their unfounded claims. No matter how hard they try, anyone with common sense can see through their ridiculous explanations. Those who put such superstitions forward are actually well aware of the fact that they cannot make the Qur'an fit their twisted approach, so they content themselves with just distancing people further from the true book. Reading the Qur'an with awareness and a strong conscience would result in exposing the true face of such warped beliefs. It would also lead to a loss of status of those who maintain such beliefs, who have based their lifestyles and interests upon this twisted religion and have used it to build their position and rank. The Qur'an reports the situation of people who are far from realizing the true meaning of the Qur'anic verses and yet try to turn people away from the right path with uneducated explanations: But there are some people who trade in distracting tales to misguide people from God's Way knowing nothing about it and to make a mockery of it. Such people will have a humiliating punishment. When Our Signs are recited to such a person, he turns away arrogantly as if he had not heard, as if there was a great weight in his ears. So give him news of a painful punishment. (Surah Luqman: 6-7)
Evidently, those who have such warped intentions and understanding, together with their ignorant, blind followers, will have an equally distorted perspective on and approach to the Qur'an. They will attempt to explain the verses, which are quite straightforward to the true followers of Islam, in a perverse way. In so doing they will strive to link their warped religion to the Qur'an. Such wicked tendencies will lead these peoples' followers to loss in this world and in the Hereafter. At the same time, they will cause those without sufficient knowledge of religion to split away from Islam, and prevent them from drawing close to God. These people will spark off the utmost disruption and pose a threat to religion by attracting more ignorant people like themselves to their side. However, the right will always be victorious against the wrong and as the Qur'an informs us "the falsehood is always bound to vanish". This is its destiny, and it cannot change it. The Qur'an is present and clear. Anyone who holds on to it with the gracious intent of finding the true path of God will, with His permission, learn the actual religion, reach His salvation and be included in His mercy.
There is no compulsion where the religion is concerned. Right guidance has become clearly distinct from error. Anyone who rejects false gods and has faith in God has grasped the Firmest Handhold, which will never give way. God is AllHearing, All-Knowing. God is the Protector of those who have faith. He brings them out of the darkness into the light. But those who are disbelievers have false gods as protectors. They take them from the light into the darkness. Those are the Companions of the Fire remaining in it timelessly, for ever."(Surat alBaqarah: 256-257)