Interpretation of the Quran - Tafsir
Tafsir consists of explaining the difficult words and phrases including grammatical construction of the sentences, purpose of revelations, unique features of the Holy Quran, examples, events and oaths quoted by the Holy Quran, commands relating to the obligatory, permitted and forbidden things and fundamental beliefs.
The best Tafsir of a verse of the Quran is usually given in the Quran itself for whatever is stated briefly or merely hinted at, in one place, will be found expanded and fully explained elsewhere in it. For example verse 1 of Surah Maidah says: "... Lawful unto you (for food) are all four footed animals with the exceptions named..... ". In verse 3 of the same surah the exceptions mentioned in the earlier verse are given in detail.
Similarly, there are some commands which have been superseded by
Subsequent commands, for example, the command; "O ye who believe!
Approach not prayers with a mind befogged..." (4: 43) is superseded by a Subsequent command which bans the use of wine completely. (5: 90)
In such cases, it is very important for the interpreter of the Quran to know the verses which had been overtaken and which had overtaken them to explain the teachings of the Quran on a particular issue In the Holy Quran, there are Ayat whose meaning is manifest and decisive and which form the basis of the book for example, commands relating to the fundamental principles of religion i.e., Unity of Allah, Prayers, Prophethood, Revealed Books, Angels, Day of Judgement, permitted and forbidden things as' well as those Ayat whose meaning is not clear and which are beyond human understanding for example, the Personality of Allah, Life after Death etc.
Thus it can be said that there are two kinds of verses in the Quran, namely, the decisive and allegorical - the latter being those which can have different interpretations.
The important principle to be borne in mind in the interpretation of the Quran is that it should not be in conflict with another passage and more specially with the basic principles laid down in the decisive verses.
The Quran also takes oaths of many things for example olives, fig, heaven, stars, winds, time etc. Explanation of the purpose of these oaths also falls within the scope of Tafsir.
Tafsir is either based upon the traditions of the Holy Prophet, opinion of his companions and successors of the companions or on logical reasoning. The second kind of Tafsir is only approved if it is not in conflict with the Quran and Sunnah.
Thus it can be said that there are two kinds of verses in the Quran, namely, the decisive and allegorical - the latter being those which can have different interpretations.
The important principle to be borne in mind in the interpretation of the Quran is that it should not be in conflict with another passage and more specially with the basic principles laid down in the decisive verses.
The Quran also takes oaths of many things for example olives, fig, heaven, stars, winds, time etc. Explanation of the purpose of these oaths also falls within the scope of Tafsir.
Tafsir is either based upon the traditions of the Holy Prophet, opinion of his companions and successors of the companions or on logical reasoning. The second kind of Tafsir is only approved if it is not in conflict with the Quran and Sunnah.
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