Chapter 5: Current mis-interpretation of al-Qur’an. 

 

9. Converting al-Qur’an into a science book.

 

 

Another current trend is converting al-Qur’an into a science book. Some people would be looking for verses to relate it to the current scientific phenomena. This according to them would be able to attract a lot of people towards Islam.

 

This is a noble goal applied in a wrong manner. Al-Qur’an is not a book of science but a book of signs. We can relate al-Qur’an and scientific phenomena as long as the conditions are observed:

  1. The phenomenon is something finalised amongst the scientists.

  2. The Qur’anic verse has clear connection with the phenomenon. The verse should not be forced to fit the phenomenon.

  3. Do not use words that show full certainty when making the connections. Instead use words that show possibility. This is to ensure that if the phenomenon changes due to new findings, the mistake would not be on al-Qur’an rather it would be on the person who made the connection.

  4. Do not disregard the actual signs conveyed by al-Qur’an.

To better understand the conditions above, lets analyse the following verse:

And He has made the moon a light therein, and made the sun a lamp. [Nuh 71:16]

 

The verse above distinguishes between the sun and the moon. Both illuminates but the sun was differentiated with the word Sirajan; i.e like a lamp that produces its own light.

 

This verse is in line with the scientific phenomenon because the sun produces light while the moon merely reflects light (condition 1). Therefore this verse could be used (condition 2) to show a possible link (condition 3) between science and al-Qur’an. However, we should not neglect the original purpose of the revelation of the verse (condition 4); to alert us about Allah’s ability to create the heaven, the moon, the sun and also human being. If Allah has the power to create all that, He also has the power to resurrect us even after we are turned into dust. Pay attention to the complete verse:   

See you not how Allah has created the seven heavens one above another?

And has made the moon a light therein, and made the sun a lamp?

And Allah has brought you forth from the (dust of) earth?

Afterwards He will return you into it (the earth),

and bring you forth (again on the Day of Resurrection)?

[Nuh 71:15-18]

 

 

Explained were few current mis-interpretations. By knowing the mis-interpretations, we would also know the correct method of interpretation that could be summerised as follows:

  1. The main methodology that should be applied is interpreting al-Qur’an by referring to other verses of al-Qur’an, paying attention to the unique language of al-Qur’an, analysing the hadeeth of Rasulullah and the understanding of the companions. This method is known as al-Tafseer bi al-Ma’tsur. This is the best methodology of tafseer. 

  2. Each verse should be understood literally unless there is evidence that it should be treated as a metaphor. The evidence needs to be supported by the explanation of Rasulullah Shallallahu ‘alaihi Wasallam and/or understanding of the companions. 

  3. There are no veiled interpretations in al-Qur’an. The most that exist is the explicit and implicit meaning of the verses. Most importantly the explicit and implicit meaning could not contradict each other.

  4. We need to interpret al-Qur’an with the awareness that it is the words of Allah and it was meant for every human being until the end of time.

  5. Each religious query is covered in al-Qur’an.

  6. Al-Qur’an is not a book of science but a book of signs. We could connect al-Qur’an to scientific phenomenon after observing few conditions.

 When we compare the correct and incorrect method of tafseer, we would realise that it springs out of two different routes. The first comes from an intention to look for Allah’s blessing. Thus it would be done using the correct methodology. Whilst the second comes from the intention to find supporting evidence to support own belief or idea. This would lead the person into the incorrect method of interpretation.

 

 

 

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CHAPTER 5 : CONTENTS

 

Hafiz Firdaus Abdullah