Methods of Quranic Interpretation are many and multiple and their importance is very great, as these methods contribute to understanding the Qur’anic text clearly, and also work to preserve the Islamic heritage and transfer it from generation to generation without any decrease or errors that may affect the text itself,
and in this article we will explain Methods of Quranic Interpretation with more explanation and detail with mention of its importance and ways to deal with it.
What is Tafsir?
Tafsir is the process of understanding and interpreting meanings, ideas, phenomena, symbols, visions, and events, using knowledge, methodology, experience, analysis, and estimation. Tafsir can be related to various fields such as religion, literature, philosophy, art criticism, social sciences, natural sciences, economics, law, politics, history, culture, language, and others.
The aim of Tafsir is to reach a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon being interpreted, relying on scientific, analytical, and critical methodology to understand things correctly and accurately.
In language, Tafsir means clarification, explanation, and interpretation. When it is said, “explain something,” it means to clarify it or explain the reasons for its occurrence. In terminology, Tafsir refers to revealing the hidden aspects and facts of things. Thus, the purpose of Tafsir is to understand, describe, and discuss facts and present them in a simple way that is easy to understand.
Definition of Quranic Tafsir
Quranic Tafsir is one of the most important sciences that deals with studying the Holy Quran, and reaching the correct understanding of its verses, extracting judgments, and understanding the meanings of the verses, including legal rulings, admonitions, stories, divine names and attributes, and others. Quranic Tafsir includes studying the Arabic language, Islamic history, and Islamic sciences.
What is the importance of Tafsir?
The importance of Tafsir is very great, as it represents an important science that helps to understand the Holy Quran accurately and correctly, and helps to apply legal rulings properly and appropriately. It contributes to a better understanding of the Islamic religion and helps to understand the different events and phenomena in the Holy Quran. The importance of Quranic Tafsir can be summarized as follows:
- Understanding Quranic texts and interpreting them accurately to extract legal rulings.
- Understanding legal rulings and helping to apply them correctly and appropriately.
- Understanding the Islamic religion, including interpreting legal rulings, divine names and attributes, Quranic verses, and others.
- Developing scientific, analytical, and critical methodology, helping to establish scientific and applied knowledge.
- Developing Islamic culture and understanding basic Islamic concepts.
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Main Methods of Quranic Interpretation
There are various methods that can be used in the science of Quranic Tafsir, and these methods differ depending on the purpose and methodology used. The main methods include:
1- Explanatory Method
This method relies on explaining and clarifying the Holy Quran through the use of Arabic language, analyzing grammar, morphology, syntax, and meanings. This method is characterized by its clarity and simplicity and can be used to explain religious concepts in an easy and simplified manner.
2- Intentional Method
This method aims to interpret Quranic verses according to Shariah objectives. This is done by analyzing the meanings of the verses and focusing on the legal rulings and Shariah values found in them. This method relies on understanding the Shariah objectives and achieving them, and can be used to interpret verses related to Shariah rulings.
3- Analytical Method
This method relies on analyzing Quranic verses in a scientific and systematic way, by analyzing words, sentences, grammar, morphology, syntax, and meanings, and identifying the relationships between verses and related concepts. This method is characterized by its depth and detail and can be used to understand deep concepts and precise meanings in the Holy Quran.
4- Comprehensive Method
This method relies on interpreting the Holy Quran in a general and comprehensive way by analyzing its chapters, themes, concepts, and Shariah rulings. This method can be used to understand the Holy Quran as a whole and to focus on the relationships between chapters and various concepts.
5- Comparative Method
This method relies on comparing Quranic verses with prophetic traditions, previous tafsirs, history, and various events to understand the meanings and Shariah rulings found in them. This method can be used to understand the overall context of Quranic verses and to identify areas that require commentary based on other sources.
6- Rhetorical Method
This method relies on understanding Quranic verses through rhetorical concepts and linguistic techniques used, such as metaphor, simile, allegory, repetition, and others. This method can be used to understand Quranic verses that use rhetorical techniques to convey meanings more effectively.
7- Scientific Method
This method relies on interpreting Quranic verses in a scientific and methodical way by analyzing concepts, meanings, and Shariah rulings in a scientific and methodical manner that relies on legal and scientific evidence and critical analysis.
8- Deductive Method
This method relies on deducing the meanings and Shariah rulings found in Quranic verses by analyzing various concepts and meanings, relying on legal and scientific evidence, critical analysis, and then deducing the appropriate meanings and Shariah rulings.
Read also about: The science of Tajweed in the Holy Quran
What are the sections of Tafsir?
Tafsir al-Quran is a science that focuses on studying the meanings of the Quran and understanding and interpreting them. Different schools of thought in this field have emerged over the ages, and these schools differ in their curricula, methods, and tools used in interpretation. In this article, we will talk about the most important sections of Quranic exegesis and what distinguishes each section.
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Tafsir al-Ma’thur (Narrative Interpretation)
This type of interpretation relies on the authentic Hadiths and reports that were narrated by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions. It is characterized by its authenticity and strong evidence. This type of interpretation is one of the oldest and most famous, as the companions used to interpret the Quran using the authentic Hadiths and reports that they heard from the Prophet (peace be upon him).
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Tafsir al-Quran (Linguistic Interpretation)
This type of interpretation relies on Arabic language, grammar, morphology, rhetoric, literature, and linguistic meanings derived from the Quranic text. This type of interpretation is one of the most important and widespread types, as it relies on scientific studies and various scientific tools used in the Arabic language and its sciences.
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Tafsir al-Sunnah (Prophetic Tradition Interpretation)
This type of interpretation relies on the Prophetic Sunnah and what was mentioned in it regarding the interpretation and explanation of the Quran. It is characterized by its authenticity, accuracy, and precision, as it relies on authentic Hadiths that can be relied upon.
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Tafsir by the sayings of the Companions and Followers
This type of interpretation relies on the sayings of the companions and followers. It is characterized by specialization and deep knowledge of history and Islamic biography, as it relies on the sayings of the companions and followers who lived with the Prophet (peace be upon him) and witnessed the events mentioned in the Quran.
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Tafsir by opinion
This type of interpretation relies on personal opinion and reasoning in understanding the meanings of the Quran. This type of interpretation appeared in later centuries and is characterized by freedom and independence in interpretation, but it requires high scientific skills and knowledge, and experience in Arabic language, literature, and Islamic history.
In addition to these main sections, there are also other sections in Quranic exegesis, including:
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Rhetorical Interpretation
This type of interpretation revolves around the rhetorical and literary styles in the Quran, and it focuses on studying the linguistic and literary styles used in the Quran and how they are used to convey meanings and ideas.
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Historical Interpretation
This type of interpretation relies on the historical events and incidents mentioned in the Quran, and it focuses on studying the historical, social, and political circumstances in which Arab society lived at that time.
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Scientific Interpretation
This type of interpretation relies on scientific knowledge and modern information in natural, social, astronomical, geological, and other sciences, aiming to understand the meanings of the Quran in a way that is consistent with contemporary scientific knowledge.”
Read also about: The science of Quranic contexts
The Conditions and Ethics of Quranic Interpretation
Part One: Conditions and Ethics of Interpretation
The interpreter of the Quran is one of the most important figures in the Islamic world, as they are responsible for interpreting and explaining the divine words of God to the people. This requires a set of conditions and ethics that the interpreter must follow to be qualified for this great task. These conditions and ethics include:
1- Knowledge
The interpreter must be proficient in Arabic language, Quranic and Hadith sciences, jurisprudence and principles, rhetoric and literature, and other Islamic sciences. The interpreter must also be able to interpret using different methods and modern theories of interpretation.
2- Honesty
The interpreter must be honest and truthful in interpreting the Quran and must avoid deviating from its meanings in a manner that does not comply with Islamic legal principles.
3- Humility
The interpreter must be humble and show love and kindness to people, deal with them gently, and respond to their questions and needs.
4- Sincerity
The interpreter must have sincere intentions and work in interpreting the Quran for God alone, and strive to avoid seeking wealth, fame, and influence.
5- Collaboration
The interpreter must collaborate with scholars, researchers, and other interpreters, and work in a harmonious and integrated team, striving to achieve the noble goal of interpreting the Quran.
6- Respect and Humility
The interpreter must respect the opinions and schools of thought of others, and deal with those who disagree with them in a gentle and good manner, acknowledging the abilities of other interpreters and learning from their experiences and discussions.
7- Evidence-Based Interpretation
The interpreter must rely on legal and scientific evidence in their interpretation, avoiding personal judgments and innovative interpretations, and striving to verify the accuracy of the sources they use in their interpretation.
8- Scientific Inference
The interpreter must infer legal, doctrinal, and ethical judgments from the Quranic text in a scientific manner, striving to avoid interpreting the text in unscientific ways or in ways that contradict Islamic legal principles.
9- Interest in History and Culture
The interpreter must be interested in the history of the Quranic text and the culture in which it originated and must understand the traditions, customs, and mentalities of the people of that time, living in the world of the Quranic text and attempting to understand it from the perspective of its time.
10- Interest in Islamic Heritage
The interpreter must be interested in Islamic heritage, know the scholars and interpreters who preceded them, benefit from their experiences and learn from them, and strive to build on what came before and develop it.
Read also about: Interpretation of the Noble Quran
Part Two: Methodology and Approach to Interpretation
There are various methods and approaches used by interpreters in interpreting the Quran, including:
1- Linguistic Interpretation
This method relies on understanding the linguistic and rhetorical meanings of the Quranic text in Arabic.
2- Historical Interpretation
This method involves interpreting the Quran by studying the history, culture, and mentalities of people during the time in which the Quran was revealed.
3- Islamic Sciences Interpretation
This method relies on using Islamic sciences such as jurisprudence, principles, hadith, and interpretation, and relies on legal and scientific evidence in interpreting the Quranic text.
4- Abstract Interpretation
This method involves interpreting the Quran by abstracting it from its historical, social, and cultural conditions, focusing on the essential and fundamental meanings of the text. This method is used by modern and philosophical interpreters.
5- Detailed Interpretation
This method involves interpreting the Quran by detailed analysis of the verses and words, focusing on the linguistic, rhetorical, historical, and literary details of the Quranic text.
6- Personal Interpretation
This method involves interpreting the Quran based on personal conclusions and innovative interpretations and is used by some interpreters who rely on personal reasoning and interpretations in their interpretation.
7- Inference Interpretation
This method involves interpreting the Quran by inferring Quranic meanings through logical and scientific evidence and relies on logical and scientific conclusions in interpreting the Quranic text.
8- Comparative Interpretation
This method involves interpreting the Quran by comparing it with literature, culture, history, and Islamic civilization and relies on the cultural and historical context of the Quranic text.
These various methods and approaches are important in understanding the meanings of the Quranic text. Interpreters can use more than one method in interpreting verses and chapters, depending on the nature of the text and the issue being interpreted. The qualified interpreter must follow specific conditions and ethics, and use an appropriate method for interpreting the Quranic text.
The interpreter should also strive to be humble, respectful, and collaborative with other interpreters, rely on scientific evidence, and have a deep understanding of the Arabic language, Islamic culture, and Islamic history. The interpreter should take into account the differences in legal, interpretive, linguistic, and cultural issues between different societies and times, be cautious of personal conclusions and innovative interpretations, and work on simplifying the Quranic text and explaining it clearly and understandably for everyone.
Read also about: Scientific Miracles of the Quran
So, the Methods of Quranic Interpretation require ethics and ethics that the interpreter must have before contemplating and interpreting the Qur’anic text, from another perspective, you can at Wahion Youha Academy communicate with a group of interpreters and specialists in Quranic sciences and Islamic studies, where you can benefit from their long experience, and you can also get training courses in various Islamic sciences starting from memorizing the Qur’an to jurisprudence, hadith, interpretation and other sciences.