Glories of Quran 3
Maramduke Pickthall has explained this arrangement by pointing out that
in
the initial stages of revelation the stress was on Iman (Faith). This
is
evident in the early day surahs revealed in Mecca, which invariably
discuss
the creation of the world and man and his life after death. Later when
an
Ummah, strong in number, began to take shape, the emphasis shifted to
instructions, injunctions and outlines of a legal framework for the
Islamic
society. This is manifest in the Medinah ayahs, underscored by the fact
that out of the first nine surahs, which make up more than a third of
the
whole Quran, six are Madni i.e., those revealed in Medinah.
(In the compilation of Quran it was important to put the latter surahs
first, because the Quran was to become a book for all generations of
believers and they would require their lives to be ordered into a
disciplined form on the bases of these commandments.)
The subject matter of Quran:
Quran addresses mankind. However, its subject is not man's anatomy or
physiology(although there are passing references to these topics as
well).
Quran's main theme point is guidance to Man.
Human knowledge has essentially two dimensions; Material Facts and
Revealed
Knowledge.
Material Facts represent the knowledge acquired by Man through his
sensory
perceptions. It belongs to the same classification of knowledge which
was
granted to Prophet Adam (Alaihe Salaam) - referred to in the Quran as
'Ilm
-ul- Asma'. The advancement in the secular fields of information is an
exfoliation of the seed of information which was entrusted to Prophet
Adam
(AS). In essence, Prophet Adam (AS) potentially possessed knowledge of
all
material things, those that man has already unravelled, and those that
will
be unravelled till the end of times. Much in the same way as a tree's
seedling potentially holds in itself all aspects of a tree and its
future
crops of fruit.
Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala considered it important that this form of
knowledge should be complemented with another branch of learning. This
was
the Revealed Knowledge to mankind. (It held within it guidance for
man).
The Knowledge and Learning dealing with issues of Man's guidance
reached
its zenith with the Quran, and became Al-Huda - The Guidance.
Among earlier divine revelations, Torah dealt only with commandments,
while
Injeel held in itself matters of Hikmah or Wisdom. Quran, however,
deals
with both physical and metaphysical aspects of knowledge. It alludes to
scientific phenomenon. According to the Late Dr. Rafi-ud-din, this
universe
is the act of Allah Ta'ala, and the Quran is His Word, and between the
Word
and the Deed there is no contradiction. In other words, although the
Quran
is not a scientific book, but the scientific references within it are
irrefutable.
Principles of Understanding Quran:
Quran presents its line of reasoning based on human nature. Its
teachings
are not enunciated on logic and pragmatism. It invites Man to look into
his
self and reflect on his being and the purpose of his creation.
There are two types of ayahs in Quran; Muhkam and Mutashabihat. The
former
are clear and specific, requiring us to follow them in spirit and form.
Towards the latter, we are required to have faith in sum and substance.
Subjects relating to the unseen are an example of matters dealt under
the
Mutashabih ayah.
While the ayahs on the unseen are classified Mutashabih permanently,
there
is a third phenomenon which is Mutashabih up to a certain time but may
become Muhkam with the passage of time. Scientific pronouncements and
references that are resolved and interpreted by Man turn from
Mutashabih to
Muhkam.
Quranic ayahs carry a specific and general interpretation. In order to
understand their specific reference, it is important to consider the
moment
of the ayah's revelation, and its reference to the context. Its general
meaning, however, will be embedded in the eternal guidance enshrined in
the
ayah.
