Introduction to Quran

Hina A. Mawani
7/22/2013

Objectives
By the end of todays class, students will be able to:
o Discuss the differences in approaches to understand Quran in Shia and Sunni Islam. o Discuss the significance of Quran in Muslim world. o Discuss significance of Quran in Ismailia community. o Differentiate between the content of Meccan and Medinese verses. o Differentiate between tafsir and taweel. o Discuss basic Quranic terminologies: Juz/parey Manzil Ruku Ayat Surat Muhakammat Mutashabihat Shan-e-nazool Huroof-e-Maqtaat
7/22/2013

Approaches to understand Quran in Islam

Notion of authority. Authorized is someone who has the requisite knowledge and the legitimacy to interpret Quran across span of time. All Muslims accept this fundamental need of an interpreter or guide. However, all Muslims across the globe hold different views as to who is the most worthy of legitimacy. Shia belief:
o This authority lies with the imam of the time as he possesses the divine knowledge necessary to interpret Quran.

Sunni belief:
o Ulemas have this authority within limited scope with the pre-requisite of knowledge such as knowledge of Arabic language etc.
7/22/2013

Significance of Quran in the Muslim world

7/22/2013

Significance of Quran in the Muslim world...

Contextual understanding Diversity in interpretation Doctrinal development Preserving contracts, knowledge, Quran in writing Development of fields of knowledge: Arabic grammar, Arabic dictionary, historiography, fiqh, genealogy etc. Exploration of nature and development of sciences, role of Muslim scientists Guiding principles for social, religious, moral and economic lives Qurans recitation Calligraphy and art
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Significance of Quran in Ismailia community

Imams, Pirs and Dais have encouraged jamat to enhance their understanding of Quran. IIS as an institution has a separate Quranic Studies department which has produced research work on the subject. In history various Dais have explained parts of Quran in their books and sermons. E.g. Abu Hatim Al-razi wrote a tafsir on Quran. The doctrinal basis of our community i.e. the doctrine of Imamat is based on teachings of Quran. Quran serves as a common language for interaction with other schools of thoughts.
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Difference between Meccan and Medinese verses

Meccan verses Medinese verses

Address mankind or people in general Focus more on beliefs like unity of god, prophet hood Short (relatively)

Address Muslims or momineen Focus more on prayers and worship, related orders, orders on social lives, personal lives and governance

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Difference between Tafsir and Taweel

Tafsir

Refers to physical/apparent/sup erficial explanation and interpretation in the light of context, reference to same topic in other verses, hadith and other tools. Anyone having knowledge of the above areas may come up with his/her own tafsir for a given verse.

Taweel

According to Shia belief is based on divinely inspired knowledge possessed by prophets and then by the Imam of the time.

Prophets or the Imam of the time are the only legitimate authority on Quran and know the esoteric (Batini) meaning behind any revelation.

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Basic Quranic Terminologies

Juz/parey o Used to divide Quran into 30 equal parts for completing the recitation of whole Quran in the 30 days of the month of Ramadan. Manzil o Used to divide Quran into 7 equal parts for completing the recitation of whole Quran in 7 days i.e. a week. Ruku o Literal meaning: to bow down o Denotes end of discussion over one topic and is unequal in size. Ayat o Literal meaning: pointer/nishani o Equivalent to a sentence Surat o Literal meaning: pointer/ status o Equivalent to a chapter
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Basic Quranic Terminologies

Muhakammat o Verses which are straightforward in their meaning Mutashabihat o Verses which have some form of symbolism in them, thus their meanings are subject to interpretation. Shan-e-nazool o Refers to circumstances and historical context in which a given set of verse was revealed. o Serves as one of the important tools for understanding the text Huroof-e-Maqtaat o The 14 words in Quran about which it is considered that only god knows their meanings.
7/22/2013