Tadabbur
The second stage in the comprehension of the Qur’an is
tadabbur fil-Qur’an, i.e., thinking over it deeply, making it a subject of intense study
and diving into the depths of its knowledge and wisdom. The Qur’an requires such
a deep study because it is huda lil-naas
i.e., guidance for humankind. Not only
does
it guide the
common people
by
presenting
them correct view of God and the universe as well as sound
moral
principles, but it also contains perfect guidance
for
men of learning and understanding and has always served them as a
beacon of light in every intellectual or spiritual
crisis in their life.
That the Qur’an is something
to
be reflected and
pondered over is a point which has been emphasized by the
Qur’an
itself:
Here
is
a
book which we
have sent down to you, full
of blessings, that they
may meditate on its signs, and that men
of understanding may receive admonition. (Sad 38:29)
By way
of
stressing
this
point further,
it says,
in a mildly
admonishing vein:
So, do
they not reflect on the Qur’an?… (Al-Nisa 4:82)
Do they not then deeply
think over the Qur’an, or are their hearts locked up? (Muhammad 47:24)
The Qur’an is quite easy for tazakkur but
is, in the same
degree, difficult for tadabbur.10 Those who dive into this boundless ocean know that it is not possible to fathom its depth.
We learn from authentic traditions that the Companions (RAA)
of the Holy Prophet (SAW) used to ponder over the different Surahs of the
Qur’an
for
years on end. It is reported about Abdullah Ibn Umar (RAA) that he spent eight years
contemplating over Surah Al-Baqarah. Let it be noted that this was the
case with the people
who spoke the same language
in which the Qur’an was revealed and who, being the
contemporaries of the Holy Prophet (SAW), had seen
it
being revealed before their own eyes. There was no necessity
for
them to learn the Arabic language and its grammar or to undertake research for ascertaining the historical background of different
ayaat or Surahs and the occasions on which they were revealed.
Note-10: The word literally means “reflection” or “deliberation,” but it is used
as a
Qur’anic term with a special significance which has been explained
in the discussion that follows.
In spite of all these advantages, they pondered over each Surah for years together. This shows that diving into this sea of knowledge and wisdom is not a child’s play. On the other hand,
it
calls for strenuous labor and constant application. In
the later ages, great scholars like Tabari (RA), Zamakhshari (RA) and
Razi (RA) and many
others of the same caliber dedicated their whole lives to the study of the Qur’an, but each of them at best could interpret a single aspect of this great Book and,
honestly speaking, failed to do justice even to that aspect.
Throughout the
fourteen centuries, there has been
no scholar who,
having written the most voluminous commentary on the Qur’an,
might have claimed that he had said the last word on it and had left no
room
for further deliberation.
Source:The Obligations Muslims owe to The Quran (Book by Dr. Israr Ahmad)
No comments:
Post a Comment