Do not study any verse of the Qur’an (or any Hadith) in isolation

METHODOLOGY FOR STUDY OF THE QUR'AN 

by Sheikh Imran Nazar Hosein

www.imranhosein.org

CHAPTER FIVE

Do not study any verse of the Qur’ān

(or any Hadīth) in isolation

“And say: “I am indeed he, that warns openly and without ambiguity,” (of Our Divine anger) as We responded to those who (conveniently) divided (Scripture into arbitrary parts), (and acted likewise) in dividing this Qur’ān (as well) into (arbitrary) pieces (as they please). Therefore, by the Lord, We will surely call them to account for what they did.”  

(Qur’ān, al-Hijr, 15:89-93) 

Allah Most High taught a very important lesson at the beginning of the Qur’ān, in methodology of the study of the Book. He did so when He revealed that He ordered the Angels to bow down and prostrate themselves before Ādam (a) and then proceeded to inform us that they all did so, except (or save) Iblis:: 

“And behold, We said to the angels: “Bow down to Adam” and they (all) bowed down except (or save) Iblīs: he refused and was haughty: He was of those who reject Faith.”  

(Qur’ān, al-Baqarah, 2:34)    

If this verse of the Qur’ān were to be studied by itself in isolation (or stand-alone), the inescapable conclusion would be that Iblīs (otherwise known as Lucifer) was an Angel. Indeed, those who came to that conclusion still hold the view to this day, that he is a fallen Angel since he disobeyed Allah’s order.  

It was precisely because Allah Most High wanted to teach a lesson in methodology that the sentence was constructed in the way it was. When we study the rest of the Qur’ān, we find that Angels cannot disobey (nor do they eat food). They must do whatever they are ordered to do: 

“… who resist not Allah in that which He commands them, but do that which they are ordered.”  

(Qur’ān, al-Tahrīm, 66:6) 

Since Angels cannot, and do not disobey Allah Most High, and Iblīs (i.e., Satan) disobeyed Him, the implication, which is now as plain as daylight, is that Iblīs could not have been an Angel. 

Finally, in Sūrah al-Kahf, the Qur’ān concluded its lesson in methodology by repeating that the order to prostrate was given to the Angels, and that they all obeyed except Iblīs. The Qur’ān then proceeded to close the subject with the declaration that Iblīs was a Jinn (i.e., a category of beings created from smokeless fire and popularly known as ghosts): 

“Behold! We said to the angels, “Bow down to Adam”:  They bowed down except Iblis. He was one of the Jinn, and he broke the Command of his Lord.” 

(Qur’ān, al-Kahf, 18:50)  

The lesson that was taught, was that a wrong methodology of studying a verse of the Qur’ān, or a Hadīth of Nabī Muhammad (s) in isolation, can lead to error. This methodology of breaking-up the Qur’ān into pieces for convenience – either for the purpose of conveniently accepting a piece and rejecting another piece, or for studying the Qur’ān one piece at a time, was condemned in the Qur’ān: 

“Those who make division in such as We send down, those who break the Qur’ān into parts; by your Lord, We shall question them, every one of them,  in respect of what they used to do.” 

(Qur’ān, al-Hijr, 15:90-93)  

Source: Sheikh Imran Nazar Hosein

to be continued .....

Do not by-pass the Qur’an!

METHODOLOGY FOR STUDY OF THE QUR'AN 

by Sheikh Imran Nazar Hosein

www.imranhosein.org

Do not by—pass the Qur’ān!

In order for anyone to be a true student of the Qur’ān, the firm policy of study must be adopted of never ignoring or by-passing the Qur’ān in the pursuit of knowledge – regardless of the branch of knowledge being studied. Rather the Qur’ān must be recognized as the infallible Word of the One God Who speaks with absolute authority and without error. Fourteen hundred years is a very long period of time, and that is how long the Qur’ān has been in this world. Had there been any errors in the Qur’ān, they should have already been discovered; but no one has ever discovered any error in the Qur’ān during this very long period of time.   

It is only after the student of the Qur’ān has studied what the Qur’ān has plainly said concerning a subject of study, should he then turn to other sources of knowledge such as the Hadīth of Nabī Muhammad (s), or to previous scriptures, i.e., revealed prior to the Qur’ān, or to knowledge which has come to the world for example, from modern western civilization. Since knowledge which has come from the Qur’ān is absolute ‘truth’ and is infallible, that knowledge from the Qur’ān must be used as al-Furqān, i.e., that which sits in judgment over all other knowledge – regardless of source. 

Let us now give an example of proper methodology. Suppose we wish to study the subject of Gog and Magog, who are a major sign of the End-time, to determine when they will be released into the world. If we use the wrong methodology of commencing our study with the Hadīth, rather than the Qur’ān, we can be misled to misinterpret the Hadīth. Many have unfortunately made this mistake of using a wrong methodology, and have concluded from the study of one solitary Hadīth that Gog and Magog will be released into the world only after the return of Nabī ‘Isa (Jesus (a), the son of the Virgin Mary, and after he has killed Dajjāl the false Messiah.  

The Qur’ān did not at all link the release of Gog and Magog into the world to the return of Nabī ‘Isa (Jesus (a) and to his killing of Dajjāl. If such people had commenced their study of the subject with the Qur’ān they would have found that the release of Gog and Magog into the world has been linked by Allah Most High to the return of a people to a ‘town’ from which they had been expelled by divine decree. Having expelled them from their ‘town’, Allah Most High then banned their return until:  

i. Gog and Magog were released,  

ii. Gog and Magog had spread out in all directions: 

“We have prohibited the return of a people to a town which we have destroyed,
Until Gog and Magog are released, and they spread out in all directions (or descend from every height).” 

(Qur’ān, al-Anbiyāh, 21:95-96) 

In order for the student to discover the absolute and irrefutable ‘truth’ of the release of Gog and Magog into the world, he has to discover the identity of the ‘town’ referred to in the verse above. We have done so while using proper methodology, and we have identified the town as Jerusalem.  

Our first step in identifying the ‘town’ was to recognize it to be linked by the irrefutable Qur’ān to Gog and Magog. Secondly, Gog and Magog belong to the Signs of the End-time, and the Qur’ān has declared Nabī ‘Isa (Jesus (a) to be the Sign par excellence of the End-time: 

“And, behold, surely he (Jesus) (i.e., his return) is indeed a Sign of the Last Hour; hence, have no doubt whatever about it, but follow Me: this [alone] is a straight way.” 

(Qur’ān, al-Zukhruf, 43:57-61) 

Nabī ‘Isa (Jesus (a) (i.e., his return) is the master-Sign of the Last Day or the End-time. The ‘town’ therefore has to be one that is linked to Nabī ‘Isa (Jesus 

(a) as no other ‘town’ is linked to him. Hence it has to be Jerusalem. 

This identification of the ‘town’ with Jerusalem is confirmed by the Hadīth quoted here-under that Gog and Magog will pass by the Sea of Galilee on their way to a mountain in Jerusalem: 

The Prophet said that the first of (Gog and Magog) will pass by the Sea of Galilee and start to drink from it – until  when the last of them pass by they will say: “There once used to be water here.” They will then travel on until they reach a mountain in Jerusalem and they will then say: “We have killed those who are in earth – now let us kill those who are (above) in the sky.”   

(Jāmi’ al-Tirmīdhī)  

As a consequence, we have concluded that the Qur’ān referred to the expulsion of the Jews by divine decree from Jerusalem, and to the ban imposed again by divine decree prohibiting their return to reclaim Jerusalem. 

When, however, they do return and succeed in reclaiming Jerusalem as their own, such will not only reveal to the world that Gog and Magog were already released and had already spread out in all directions, but also reveal the identity of Gog and Magog in the Judeo-Christian Zionist alliance who control power in modern western civilization, and who brought the Israelite Jews back to Jerusalem to reclaim it as their own.   

Since the Qur’ān also referred to Gog and Magog as agents of Fasād (al-Kahf, 18:94) the implication of them spreading out in all directions is that the world would experience universal Fasād. The explanation in the Qur’ān for the universal Fasād which now afflicts mankind is quite plain and clear. Gog and Magog are the cause of that Fasād! There is no other explanation. 

Not only did wrong methodology of ignoring the Qur’ān lead to an error concerning the time of the release of Gog and Magog into the world, and negligence in respect of locating the explanation in the Qur’ān for today’s universal Fasād, but it also led to a misinterpretation of the Hadīth which spoke of Allah sending Gog and Magog rather than releasing them: 

… And then Allah will send Gog and Magog and they will spread out in every direction. The first of them will pass by the Sea of Galilee and they will drink from it.  And the last of them will pass by and they will say that there used to be water in it.  

(Sahīh Musl im)  

Those who used the wrong methodology also missed the clue given by the Hadīth that an ever-diminishing water-level of the Sea of Galilee will indicate that Gog and Magog have been released, and that they have been passing by that Sea on their way to Jerusalem. In fact, the water-level in the Sea of Galilee is now so low that it has crossed all previous records, and it seems only a matter of time before the Sea becomes dry and devoid of water.

This provides further tangible proof that Gog and Magog have already been released. Finally, we may direct attention to another Hadīth which records a vision which the blessed Prophet (a) experienced while sleeping at the home of his wife Zainab(r). The Hadith is so important that we quoted it entirely:

“Narrated Zainab bint Jahsh: One day Allah’s Apostle entered upon her in a state of fear and said: None has the right to be worshipped but Allah! Woe to the Arabs from the Great evil that has approached (them). Today a hole has been opened in the barrier of Gog and Magog like this. The Prophet made a circle with his index finger and thumb. Zainab bint Jahsh added: I asked: O Allah’s Apostle!  Shall we be destroyed though there will be righteous people among us? The Prophet said: Yes,  (it will come to pass) when wickedness increases (i.e. scum, evil, disgusting conduct, sexual perversity, etc. overtakes the world).” (This indicates not only political, economic and military oppression of Arabs but also, that they would be demonized in every conceivable obscene and malicious way.)  

(Sahīh Bukhārī) 

This vision not only clearly indicated that the release of Gog and Magog commenced in the Prophet’s life-time, but it also prophesied the eventual destruction of the Arabs by Gog and Magog at that time when Khabath or scum, prevails. It is plain as daylight that scum is now incrementally prevailing in the world. Nowhere is that scum more visible than in those parts of the world where a man can now marry another man and get a marriage certificate. There are those Muslims, without any faith in their hearts, who actually make Hijrah to those parts of the world where scum prevails, because they can live there comfortably, make heaps of money, build mansions with that money in Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, and elsewhere, and thus justify their Hijrah in the eyes of the poor destitute masses of those countries. Scum now prevails in the Arab world as well, in consequence of which the oppressed masses are now destitute, the Algerian Dinār (like the Pakistani Rupee) is trading at more than 100 to US$1, millions live the wretched life of refugees, and the true believers amongst the Arabs live the most miserable life possible.  

It is not difficult to understand why Gog and Magog have embarked on a destruction of the Arabs. A Pax Judaica, in succession to Pax Americana, would not be possible so long as the Arabs are strong enough to offer effective resistance to oppression. 

However, there is comfort for the Arabs in the knowledge that their destruction will not constitute Divine punishment since it will take place despite righteous conduct. 

Source: Sheikh Imran Nazar Hosein

to be continued .....

Do not disrespect the Qur’an!

METHODOLOGY FOR STUDY OF THE QUR'AN 

by Sheikh Imran Nazar Hosein

www.imranhosein.org

CHAPTER FOUR

Do not ignore – by-pass – or disrespect

the Qur’ān in the pursuit of knowledge

“And We have sent down to you the Book (i.e., the Qur’ān) as an explanation of all things (and hence as the primary source of knowledge), a Guide, a Mercy, and Glad Tidings to Muslims.”  

(Qur’ān, al-Nahl, 16:89) 

“Hence, when the Qur’ān is recited, hearken unto it, and listen in silence, so that you might be graced with [Allah’s] mercy.”  

(Qur’ān, al-’Arāf 7:204) 

Do not disrespect the Qur’ān!

Every Muslim family knows that children must be taught to kiss the Qur’ān every time it is held in the hand, that the Qur’ān must never be placed on the floor, that they should not turn their backs to the Qur’ān, etc. But in the verse above, Allah Most High has also commanded silence when the Qur’ān is being recited. It is for this reason that when thousands enter the Masjid for the Salāt al-Jumu’ah, and some are engaged in reciting the Qur’ān, there is such a silence in the Masjid that one can hear the drop of a pin! Those who so disrespect the Qur’ān by talking and chatting while the Qur’ān is being recited (particularly so in the Masjid), cannot hope to ever be successful in studying the Qur’ān. 

It is also an act of disrespect, and a sin, to recite the Qur’ān at break-neck speed since Allah has specifically prohibited such: 

“Move not your tongue in haste, [reciting the words of the revelation:]” 

(Qur’ān, al-Qiyāmah, 75:16) 

Those who recite at great speed, particularly so in Salāt al-Tarawīh (which is a special prayer in the month of Ramadān), as well as those who join in such prohibited recitation of the Qur’ān by listening to it, will have to answer for such disrespect to Allah’s Word. It is also an act of disrespect to the Qur’ān to listen to it being recited in Salāt, or oneself reciting it in Salāt, and yet not understanding what is recited, and not making an effort to learn enough of the Arabic language to be able to understand what is being recited.  

Source: Sheikh Imran Nazar Hosein

to be continued .....

Preparation for study through promptly acting in accordance with what is understood in the Qur’an

METHODOLOGY FOR STUDY OF THE QUR'AN 

by Sheikh Imran Nazar Hosein

www.imranhosein.org

Preparation for study through promptly 

acting in accordance with what is

understood in the Qur’ān

“The likeness of those who are entrusted with the (Law of) the  Torah, yet applied it not,  is as the likeness of the ass carrying books. Wretched is the likeness of folk who (thus) betray the revelations of Allah. And Allah guides not wrongdoing folk.” 

(Qur’ān, al-Jumu’ah, 62:5) 

He Who sent down the Qur’ān to Nabī Muhammad (s) also sent down the Torah to Nabī Mūsa (Moses (a). Those of the followers of Nabī Mūsa who received the Torah, and studied it, and did not act in accordance with its guidance, incurred the divine wrath to such an extent that He likened them in the above verse to donkeys with a load of books on their backs. 

The student who embarks on a study of the Qur’ān is thus advised to always try to act promptly in accordance with its guidance in order to qualify to receive knowledge from He Who is the source of all true knowledge. 

A particularly obnoxious example of this Israelite failure to act in accordance with the divine guidance sent down in the Torah is the prohibition of Ribā (i.e. lending and borrowing money on interest). The Qur’ān has referred to their abandonment of divine guidanceprohibiting Ribā: 

“They took usury although it had been forbidden to them, and they (thus) wrongfully devoured of other people’s possessions. And for those from among them who [continue to] deny the truth We have readied grievous suffering.”  

(Qur’ān al-Nisā, 4:161) 

If those who betrayed the Torah by failing to act in accordance with its guidance, are likened to a donkey with a load of books on its back, is it possible that those who fail to act in accordance with the guidance in the Qur’ān would be considered to be any different? Can such a people qualify to be guided by Allah Most High as they attempt to study the Qur’ān? The very last revelation in the Qur’ān to come down with Angel Gabriel to Prophet Muhammad (s) was the revelation commanding the total and complete eradication of Ribā. The most well-known form of Ribā is usury, i.e., ‘borrowing and lending money on interest’. But there is also Ribā in the bogus and fraudulent Zionist-sponsored monetary system of paper, plastic and electronic money. The revelation warned of a declaration of war from Allah and His Messenger against those who refused to give up Ribā: 

 “… And if ye do not, then be warned of war (against you) from Allah and His Messenger …” 

(Qur’ān, al-Baqarah, 2:279) 

Nabī Muhammad (s) went on to curse all four, and to declare that they were all equally guilty – the one who takes Ribā, the one who gives Ribā, the one who records the transaction, and the two witnesses. (For references for all of the above, see my book entitled The Prohibition of Ribā in the Qur’ān and Sunnah.) No Muslim can possibly succeed in studying the Qur’ān while still borrowing or lending money on interest. Some Muslims remain blissfully ignorant of the fact that they have borrowed money on interest from so called Islamic Banks who lend money on interest by deception. The Bank sells on credit at a price higher than the cash price while declaring, falsely so, that it is engaged in Murābaha. When credit price is higher than cash price, the difference between the two would be Ribā. The Bank refers to that difference in price, again falsely so, as mark-up. I describe it as Ribā through the back door! 

Source: Sheikh Imran Nazar Hosein

to be continued .....