Principles of Tafseer that are unanimous among Muslim scholars
It should be known that the scholars have agreed on a methodology for interpreting the Qur’an, and as such it cannot be ignored or overridden but should be adhered to.That methodology is:
1) Interpreting the Qur’an with the Qur’an. What is summarized in one place is explained in detail somewhere else.
2) Interpreting the Qur’an with the authentic Sunnah, as Allah says, addressing the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam (what means):
{And We revealed to you the message that you may make clear to the people what was sent down to them and that they might give thought.}
[Qur’an 16: 44]
Allah also says (what means):
{And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.}
[Qur’an 4: 59]
{And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.}
[Qur’an 4: 59]
In this regard, the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said ”I have been given the Qur’an and the like of it with it (i.e. the Sunnah).”
3) Interpreting the Qur’an with authentic statements of the Sahaabah that are unanimous as far as meaning. The Sahaabah are more knowledgeable as witnesses of the Qur’an and the circumstances particular to them.
They also had a full understanding and sound knowledge and did righteous deeds, especially the Imaams and learned ones among them.
4) Interpreting the Qur’an with authentic statements of the Taabi‘oon, as long as those statements are unanimous as far as meaning, as the Taabi‘oon learned from the Sahaabah.
5) Interpreting with Arabic in an absolute sense, as the Qur’an was revealed in a clear Arabic language. Imaam Maalik, may Allah have mercy on him, states: “I would punish anyone who interprets the Book of Allah without knowledge of the Arabic language.”
6) Interpreting with Islamic law, without mere opinions.
Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, states in Muqaddimat At-Tafseer (Exordium to Exegesis): Therefore, anyone who assigns an interpretation to the Qur’an and Hadeeth outside of the interpretations of the Sahaabah and Taabi‘oon has made a false claim against Allah, committed an act of heresy and distorted the words of Allah. This opens the door for heresy and blasphemy. Knowing the error of such is a prerequisite of Islam.
The statement is specifically directed at those whose statements conflict with established views or are made without knowledge, as he continued:
This authentic narrative and others like it from the Imaams of the early Muslims (the Salaf) demonstrate how they avoided speaking about Tafseer without knowledge. As for speaking out of one’s knowledge of the language or Islamic law, there is nothing wrong with that.
