How to verify an understanding or translation of the Quran?
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Thanks AaRon. I'd use my own logic as in the "firmware" (yes, this spirit you suggest) God put inside me to see which meaning complies with the various occurances. I really agree that something is already put in us, like how the baby knows how to suck milk from its mother, the "common sense" of good and bad, etc.
What I'm most sure of is the existence of God through rational verification (yes, like the creed of Abraham). I see the same "message" (not book) of all the messengers (or message of all the mentioned scriptures/books I've seen) is to believe in The God and do good to serve him.
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Cross referencing helps immensely.
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Salaam,
I am new in this Forum, and I would like to learn from my beloved brothers and sisters.
"remember "god" blew the "spirit" into us... so part of what we are looking for is right inside us".
Agreed.
How do we do that? I was wondering what your opinions are when I say that meditation is one of the many ways to do that.What possibly did Prophet Muhammad do when he spent considerable time in the Cave Hira, before the GOD inspired him with which would later be known as the Quran? Was he in a kind of meditation state, and could we say it as the same state when Siddharta sat under the tree, somewhere in the Indian continent?
Thank you all for your kind attention, (and please forgive me if this topic of meditation had already been discussed elsewhere in the Forum).
Zakaria.
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Peace Zidane, all,
I agree with everyone's input thus far and would only add that I no longer harp on trying to figure everything out or gaining the perfect understanding. I feel that as long as we continue to implement the basics and keep chugging along, the answers will come. The key is to keep moving/progressing and have patience.
During my recent vacation I saw so many diverse and breathtaking landscapes. It was all so amazing. What dawned on me as we were driving through Utah was that none of what I was looking at was symmetrical in itself or similar to other landscapes. Everything was unique and sort of random/abstract, yet still absolutely beautiful. In one moment, I was wondering if an abstract artist decided to design a mountain from scratch (and somehow had the means to do it on such a large scale) could he/she result in the same level of beauty. I realized that it wouldn't be possible, since the elements to create the art would already be in existence. So, nothing could really be made from "scratch". And then the whole "produce a surah like it" popped into mind.
Now I'm wondering if the "surah" as mentioned in the qur'an has some deeper meaning than just text.
Anyway, I didn't mean to sidetrack, just to illustrate that it was my journey that led to my thoughts. Had I just sat in place studying and trying to figure out what the right translation is, I would have only my same thoughts to work with. The new experiences are what invigorate fresh perspectives and as long as we keep our eyes open along the way, God unfolds the universe to us.
Peace,
Tay -
peace.
Briefly (sorry I dont have more Quran references, but its all in there)
verify info e.g. 1736
check all occurrences (cross-reference) usage
check the grammar
start with a solid foundation and build upon that e.g. 37
check classical arabic meanings to get an idea of the word and root concept/idea/origin
map signs to reality and one's experience e.g. 4153
take your time to reflect upon things
seek help through patience and turning towards God
actively carry out what is stated to see its effect/truth
there should be no discrepancy/contradiction involving other verses with your understanding of this verse
use logic / critical thinking / reason e.g. 675-79, 2258
use all avenues of knowedlege, e.g. science 4153, archeology 3190, biology 2920 to gain a better understanding
consult with one another, including asking those with knowledge, and follow what's best e.g. 3159, 3918, 4238 -
Dear brother Tay, Wakas,
Thanks. Very very interesting & helpful. Thanks so much.
Bro Tay, I really like the idea of seeing truth from nature (which happens in truth). Very interesting, brother Tay. Thanks.
Brother Wakas, that's a very good summary that seems to be very logical and I see truth in it. Thanks.O my Lord! Thanks for your knowledge & guidance. Glory be to you.
May God Guide.
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What possibly did Prophet Muhammad do when he spent considerable time in the Cave Hira, before the GOD inspired him with which would later be known as the Quran? Was he in a kind of meditation state, and could we say it as the same state when Siddharta sat under the tree, somewhere in the Indian continent?
welcome Greetings, peace & welcome brother Zakari,
I would say that meditation is very helpful in many ways and widely adopted by many people across the globe.
Although I do not confirm the authenticity of stories told about prophets (and I can't possibly "bear witness" about them), I've always seen that many of these stories have meditation in common - as do many wise people - and I've done it and see the truth that meditation is beneficial. It allows calmness, inner peace, insight, etc. which leads to many many other benefits. Whether it's from inside or outside, it's always by laws/power of/from the true Nature/God which is Omnipresent and Omnipotent.
May God Guide.
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Allah says this Quran testifies that which is with you
What we have with us is the sense of appreciation and application
What we have with us is the critereon ie, distinguishing ability between the right and the wrongDictionaries have no value when it comes to pondering and understanding!
Worse even towards this end is to apply grammar that makes the meaning very rigid sothat it cannot bend and blend with the reality of pondering conscience or conscienceous pondering. Thus application of linguistic guidelines to understand Quran may never help us. We need the utility of all encompassing universal power of inner sense, the soulful search, to reach upto Quran. Only through this approach we can assess if this Quran is from Allah or from other than Him. Ask incase of doubt, while is such effort, those who are endowed with the wisdom before you. And not to seek the clarification from the Arabic linguistic Scholars. This is my humble submission.
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I agree with all of the above, and would like to add that reading the quraan through the "Author's" eyes, if I may say, will help further shorten your list of possibilities. By through the authors eyes I mean keeping in mind His attributes such as Just, Wise, Ghani (does not need you or anything else), only righteousness matters to Him..etc and try to find out what such an Author wants to tell you.
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I would say like on the commentary of grammar, do not reject it either. Don't be a prisoner, either of grammar or of anything else, have it, that and everything else to open doors not to close them.
Finally the truthful Qur'an starts with the
Faatiha,
= the Opener.Feel that when you open the Qur'an everything opens.
Salaam
