Interpreting The Text
From The BookcUlum al-Qur'ân(© Ahmad von Denffor, Taken From Ibrahîm Shafi' Islamworld)
© Islamic Awareness, All Rights Reserved.
The chapter is divided into following sub-headings. All the references are omitted. The readers are advised to see the original book cUlum al-Qur'ân for the references.
Tafsîr, Its Kinds & Principles
A Warning
Grades Of Sources
Tafsîr bi-l-riwâya
The Qur'ân explained by the Qur'ân
The Qur'ân explained by the Prophet
Tafsîr by Sahâba
Summary
Two kinds of tafsîr bi'l-ra'y
Sahâba or tabicûn shun mere opinion
Summary
Differences In Tafsîr
Isrâ'îlîyât
Summary
Contemporary Tafsîr Literature
Summary
Introduction to the Quran
The Quran is the Muslim scripture, that is to say the scripture of the followers of Islam. Islam is the religion established among the Arabs - a people until then largely confined to the Arabian Peninsula - by the Prophet Muhammad in the early seventh century.
The Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad by God through the agency of the angel Gabriel; this took place partly in Mecca, his hometown, and partly in Medina, where he succeeded in creating a state in an otherwise stateless tribal society. The message was revealed in Arabic, the language of the people it was initially addressed to, even though the message was ultimately for the whole of humanity.
The Quran specifically mentions that Muhammad was the messenger to the whole of mankind, and that he is the last messenger to be sent. Thus, the Quran is the final message that supersedes and reiterates the basic religion God ordained for the Jews and the Christians, as well as the Muslims. Today, the total number of Muslims in the world is over a billion, making up almost a fifth of the world’s population. For all Muslim communities, whatever their language and wherever they live, the Quran is their scripture.
Muslims believe that the Quran is the literal speech of Allah, revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through the Archangel Gabriel. The Quran is recited as an act of worship in the original Arabic worldwide by Muslims in prayers and is believed by Muslims to be miraculous.
Revelation
The Quran was revealed over 1400 years ago. Its revelation spanned the 23 year length of the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) and addressed pertinent issues of the day which remain relevant even today.
Subjects
The Quran is believed by Muslims to be the final revealed scripture for the guidance of mankind; other scriptures that Muslims believe in include: the Psalms of David, the Torah of Moses, and the revelation sent to Jesus (peace be upon them). The Quran addresses a multitude of subjects; some of the main topics can be summarized as follows:
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