You know how theres loads of ways of interpreting anything anyone reads? well that obviously includes the Qur'an, so how do we know we're interpreting it correctly? and how do those people that write commentaries know that and everyone else?
:S
See, the other day in R.E i was talking to some girls and one of them was like
"all religions contradict themselves, they say one thing in one place and then another in another place"
but i was like no not all of them are and its also down to how people interpret the books.
and then she was liek yeah thats true theres like a million ways of interpreting every holy book.
so that got me thinking, have we actually got a way of making sure how we understand the Qur'an is the right way? if so what is it :S
if everyone interprets it in a different way how can we say it is the truth when we're all saying different things
Comments
Step 1: read the damn thing.
Yes there will be some differences of opinion, some places that may not be clear without further guidance or historical context, but overall, just simply reading the thing with an open mind will be pretty clear.
Step 2: Read multiple translations and commentaries.
Step 3: Stop pretending that Islam is like other religions.
"I studied christianity. The trinity made no sense to me. So obviously all religions are wrong."
"Afterall, the main thing is the idea. When people wrote things down into books and gave the things a name, that is when it turned bad."
Both of those are using Christianity as their basis for argument (but the former can be modified to apply to other religions too). In the case of the latter, while the bible was wrote after the time of Jesus (as) and the religion was also named later, neither are true about Islam - it started with revelation that is still documented and the revelation also gave Islam its name.
So I think people who say what you are quoting are eiuther confused or just too lazy to actually read the things.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
You said, 'how can we say it's the truth...' - at that I'll use an example that I heard during a talk. If there is pure water and someone puts dirt into it that doesn't change the fact that the water was (at first) pure. Religion (water) is clean and people (the someone) are making it dirty i.e. by (much of the time) their absurd interpretations.
I agree with You, with the 'Read multiple translations and commentaries' because it will (InshaAllah) help. At the same time, it's not easy doing that because again You is right, we (most of us)are just so damn lazy although i do understand why you're confused and have to say, it's really good that you bothered to ask.
I read a Hadith on a calender i have that says something along the lines of understanding things by what it says i.e. not trying so hard to find the hidden messages. Unfortunately i'm not sure of the exact Hadith.
Thus maybe the correct interpretation of the Qu'ran is the one that you understand from it (as long as it doesn't contradict something you know exists in Islam already)and if you're unsure then looking it up and finding your answers that way? (via the internet perhaps or even a book?)
Just my opinion, Allah Knows Best.
Jihad of the Nafs (The Struggle of the Soul)
hmmmm that kinda helps cuz i was jsut thinking some people take certain parts of the Qur'an literally while others take the same parts metaphorically so how do u know who's got the right interpretation.
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
Another "more approved" way is to get formal education. Get someone to teach you the meanings. There be people around that do that.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
yes but my Q was also how do they know?
like has Allah swt explicitly told us how to find the real meaning of the Qur'an is ahadith meant to aid us with this...
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
Their teachers taught them. and their taught them. and their teachers taught them... ... eventually you get to the sahabah who were taught by the prophet
who was taught by God.
Chain complete.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Damn thing?
...i knew that...
nvm it was a stupid question to ask lol
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
Not a stupid question.
You may not have known that but not thought of it in the same context.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.