Course outline #4: Approaching the Qur’an [Tafsir and building sound constructs]

What is tafsir and the need for it

• The meaning of tafsir
• Tafsir and t’awil
• The need for tafsir
• Four types of tafsir
• The honorable status of ‘elm al-tafsir
• The virtues of tafsir and its importance

Between source based tafsir and tafsir based on opinion

• Source based tafsir
• Tafsir based on opinion
• When it tafsir based on opinion acceptable and what are its limits
• Understanding the hadith “Whoever speaks about the Qur’an based on his opinion, then let him take his seat in the fire of Hell.”
• Understanding the statements of the salaf that rejected tafsir based on opinion
• Imam al-Zarkashi’s response

8 guidelines when approaching tafsir

• Combining tafsir between dirayah and riwayah
• Tafsir of Qur’an by Qur’an
• Tafsir of Qur’an by the Sunna
• Benefiting from the tafsir of the Companions and the Tab’in
• Benefiting from the Arabic language
• Given precedence to context
• The importance of context in assigning meaning
• The word kitab
• The word ayah
• The appearance of a concept with different words to describe it

Noting the causes for revelation

• How do we know the cause of revelation
• Specific cause and general word usages
• Deriving meaning from the general
• The response of al-Suyuti on those who negated the importance of asbab al-Nazul

1. Divine Authority

2. A Protected Book

• Causes for the Qur’ans preservation
• A nation distinguished by its preservation of the Qu’ran
• Compliation of Qur’an during the time of Abu Bakr
• The complication of the Qur’an during ‘Uthman’s reign

3. A Miraculous

• Conditions related to miracles

• Qur’anic miracles

• Two types of verses related to miracles

4. Clear and Easy to Understand

• What is the wisdom behind sending the mutashabihat?

5. The Book of Islam

• Faith and the Qur’an
• Shari’ah and the Qur’an
• Ethics and the Qur’an

6. A book for all ages and all people

• How does the Qur’an retain its relevance?

1.Correcting faith and building a sound perception

• Correct understanding of tauhid
• Correct understanding of prophethood
• Affirm and strengthen faith in the Hereafter

2. Recognize the honorable station of man and his rights

• The Qur’an on man’s honorable position
• The Qur’an and the rights of humanity
• Emphasizing the rights of the weak and oppressed

3. Worship, Piety, and The Purification of the Soul

• There is no piety without correct worship and sound worship leads to?
• Two foundations of correct worship

4. Building a righteous family

• Marriage through the lense of the Qur’an
• Marriage is a very serious issue
• Righteous children
• Justice towards women and freeing them from the yoke of the days of ignorance

5. Building a nation who will bear the message of the Prophets

• The Qur’anic attributes given to the ideal Muslim community
•  Strong relationship with Allah
• Balance and moderation
• Propagation
• Unity

6. Cooperation with others and mutual respect

• Freeing creation from the worship men
• Brotherhood and Humanitarianism
• Justice to all
• Peace and security
• Tolerance

Asalamu alaykum,

This is a blog for the course Approaching the Qur’an that will be held at the Muslim Community Association (click on the name for directions)

July 24th, 25th, 26th and the 29th from 8:30pm-10:00pm.

You will find notes and other important information here that will enhance your learning experience. We pray that Allah will make His book beloved to us, grant us a sound understanding of it and make us from those who live by its example.