A website stuffed to the gills with personal opinions on Islam, society and the state of the Muslims, now cautions us: “Do not speak about the meaning of the Qur’an based on your personal opinion.”
We hope in vain that their nine-hundred and fiftieth opinion piece will therefore be their last, moved now to silence themselves, recognising their sin, even if they are right. For if the Islam they opine about daily is not founded on the Quran, what else is it?
The author brings a narration from al-Tirmidhi, the chain of which the muhadith graded gharib. The Quran itself is never brought to bear.
Do they not reflect upon the Quran, or are there locks upon their hearts?
— Quran 47:34
No doubt mindful of this verse, the author does concede that it is important to reflect on its ayat. So ponder, yes, but do not form an opinion based on those reflections, and certainly do not speak or act on them.
Not helpful for the seeker who came to faith by way of the Quran. Nor one who seeks justice, by way of the Quran. Or one who walks humbly on the earth, by way of the Quran. Or one who refuses to mix truth and falsehood, by way of the Quran.
Anyway, one better than me puts it better. All I can hope for is that we will not be of those rejected on the Day the heavens will split open.
And the Messenger will say, “O my Lord, indeed my people have abandoned this Quran.”
— Quran 25:30
Surely it would be better to advise young Muslims early in their studies of Islam to invest everything in the Quran. I certainly wish I had.
Last modified: 2 March 2021
