Only Allah Ta’ala can explain the Quraan Sharif and not Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam

Question:-

There are those that claim that only Allah Ta’ala will explain his Kitaab and nobody else. They use the following verses to prove their claim; chapter 25 – verse 33, chapter 17 – verse 41, chapter 11 – verse one. Is this correct? If not, please explain for the benefit of the Ummah.  

Answer:-

1. In regards to verse 33 of Surah Furqaan, the translation of the verse is as follows;

“(O Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Whenever they (the Kuffar) present a (ridiculous) example to you (to falsify and find fault with your message), We reveal the precise reply to you with explicit clarity (so that you may counter their words with something better.)

 

The rejectors of Hadith are simply misinterpreting this verse of the Quraan Sharif. The word ‘Ahsana Tafseera’ is used in the literal meaning which is translated above as ‘explicit clarity.’ The verse simply means that if the Kuffar present a strange question to you O Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam (trying to falsify matters of Tawheed) then we will provide you with a clear answer which may then be presented to them. Hence, this verse is in no way related to making Tafseer of the Quraan Sharif as claimed by the rejectors of Hadith.

 

Secondly, the Tafseer of the Quraan Sharif explained by Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is from Allah Ta’ala as explained in another verse, “He does not speak of his own desires, rather whatever he says is revelation (which Allah has) revealed to him (through the agency of Jibraeel Alaihis Salaam.)” When the Tafseer of the Quraan Sharif recorded in the Hadith Sharif is from Allah Ta’ala, they should have no reservations whatsoever in accepting it. Just as the Quraan Sharif reached us through Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, the Hadith Sharif has also come to us from Allah Ta’ala through Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam.

 

In another verse of the Quraan Sharif Allah Ta’ala states, “We have revealed the Reminder (the Quraan) to you (O Muhammad Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam), so that you may explain (easily and properly) to the people what (injunctions of the Shariah) has been revealed to them, and so that they may reflect (carefully). [Re: Surah Nahl, Verse 44]    

           

This verse clearly states that the task of explaining the Quraan Sharif correctly (as revealed by Almighty Allah) has been entrusted to Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam as the Quraan cannot be correctly understood by merely understanding the Arabic language. Understanding the laws of the Quraan Sharif, the Ma’arif and the reality of matters is dependent upon the explanation of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Again, their claim that only Allah Ta’ala will explain his book is incorrect as understood from the above verse of the Quraan Sharif.

 

2. In regards to verse 41 of Surah Bani Isra’eel, Allah Ta’ala states, “Verily We have explained (matters in diverse manners) in the Quraan so that they (the Mushrikeen) may take heed (think and accept Islam). However, it (the explanations given in the Quraan) only increased their resentment (for the truth because they refuse to shift their positions and do not want to accept the truth.)

 

This verse refers to explaining the verses of Quraan Sharif in various ways so that the Kuffar may understand, and in different ways Tawheed is established in the Quraan Sharif and Shirk proven as falsehood, yet the Mushrikeen take no heed. Now, what has this verse got to do with Tafseer of the Quraan Sharif? Again, this verse of the Quraan Sharif is misinterpreted by them to attain their corrupt objectives.

    

3. As for the third verse of the Quraan Sharif quoted by them, “This is a book, the verses of which have been consolidated (excellently structured, comprehensive and eloquent) and then explained (to make its meaning clear to man.) It comes from The Wise, The Informed (All-Aware.) [Re:- Surah Hood, Verse1]

 

The word ‘Muhkam – translated as consolidated in the above verse’ is in contrast to ‘Mansookh – which is translated as cancelled’, thus it means, that generally Allah Ta’ala has made the verses of the Quraan Sharif such that it will not be abrogated. The previous scriptures were abrogated by the coming of the Quraan Sharif, but the Quraan Sharif is to remain until the day of Qiyaamah. [Qurtubi] However, this is no way contradicts the fact that some of the verses of the Quraan Sharif abrogated other verses.

 

The second quality of the Quraan Sharif mentioned in this verse is that it is explained in such a manner that the meaning is clearly understood. This simply means that matters of Aqaaid, business dealings, social etiquettes, character have been each individually explained.

 

The Quraan has come from that Being that is All-Wise and All-Informed. Every action of Allah Ta’ala is full of wisdom which the human being cannot encompass and Allah Ta’ala is fully aware of every atom and everything that will occur in the future.

 

Again, the explanation and Tafseer of the verse has nothing to do with that which the rejectors of Hadith are claiming. In conclusion, they are misquoting the verses of the Quraan Sharif to proof their corrupt agendas.

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 27 Rabi-ul-Aakhir 1444 / 22 November 2022