A Qur'an-Alone Commentary (Sura 1 & 2)
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Ayat relevant to the issue are presented with my interpretations below. I intend to cover all the Qur'an and prove that it is all we need for our religious guidance.
SURA 1
?All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.?
2
We must worship and praise Allah (SWT) alone.
?Thee do we serve and Thee do we beseech for help.?
5
We must not worship or seek the intercession of anyone besides Allah (SWT).
SURA 2
?This Book, there is no doubt in it, is a guide to those who guard .?
2
What the Qur?an says, it says. There is nothing in it that can be doubted, abrogated, embellished or explained by anyone besides Allah (SWT). The Qur?an as left to us is the final Word.
?And who believe in that which has been revealed to you and that which was revealed before you and they are sure of the hereafter. These are on a right course from their Lord and these it is that shall be
successful.?4-5
The criterion here is that we believe in the Qur?an as revealed through Muhammad (SAW). Hence as believers we must believe in no announcement except the Qur?an, confirming previous scriptures.
?Who made the earth a resting place for you and the heaven a canopy and sends down rain from the cloud then brings forth with it subsistence for you of the fruits; therefore do not set up rivals to Allah while you know. And if you are in doubt as to that which We have revealed to Our servant, then produce a chapter like it and call on your witnesses besides Allah if you are truthful. But if you do not and never shall you do , then be on your guard against the fire of which men and stones are the fuel; it is prepared for the unbelievers.?
22-24
Do not set up rivals with Allah (SWT). If there is another source of divine scripture it must be produced with witnesses. Allah (SWT) declares that this will be impossible, and hence there is no other source of divine scripture except the Qur?an.
?Who break the covenant of Allah after its confirmation and cut asunder what Allah has ordered to be joined, and make mischief in the land; these it is that are the losers.?
27
E.g. introducing or upholding laws contradictory to the Qur?an (stoning and punishment for apostasy) or encouraging and upholding sects.
?And when your Lord said to the angels, I am going to place in the earth a khalif, they said What! wilt Thou place in it such as shall make mischief in it and shed blood, and we celebrate Thy praise and extol Thy holiness? He said Surely I know what you do not know.?
30
This is quoted by Shia scholars to justify the concept of divinely-appointed leadership. However, since it is declared that bloodshed will be the result, is bloodshed also justified? Is not the khalif implied to be ?such as shall make mischief??
?We said Go forth from this all; so surely there will come to you a guidance from Me, then whoever follows My guidance, no fear shall come upon them, nor shall they grieve. And those who disbelieve in and reject My communications, they are the inmates of the fire, in it they shall abide.?
38-39
As has been established, there is only one guidance the Qur?an.
?O children of Israel! call to mind My favor which I bestowed on you and be faithful to covenant with Me, I will fulfill covenant with you; and of Me, Me alone, should you be afraid. And believe in what I have revealed, verifying that which is with you, and be not the first to deny it, neither take a mean price in exchange for My communications; and Me, Me alone should you fear. And do not mix up the truth with the falsehood, nor hide the truth while you know .?
40-42
It was not a covenant with Musa (SAW); it was a covenant with Allah (SWT). We must believe in the Qur?an alone.
?And be on your guard against a day when one soul shall not avail another in the least, neither shall intercession on its behalf be accepted, nor shall any compensation be taken from it, nor shall they be helped.?
48
There is no intercession on the Day of Judgement (unless Allah (SWT) wills).
?And when We gave Musa the Book and the criterion (of right and wrong) that you might walk aright.?
53
The Qur?an is the distinction of right and wrong.
?And We made the clouds to give shade over you and We sent to you manna and quails Eat of the good things that We have given you; and they did not do Us any harm, but they made their own souls suffer the loss. And when We said Enter this city, then eat from it a plenteous wherever you wish, and enter the gate making obeisance, and say, forgiveness. We will forgive you your wrongs and give more to those who do good . But those who were unjust changed it for a saying other than that which had been spoken to them, so We sent upon those who were unjust a pestilence from heaven, because they transgressed.?
57-59
Allah (SWT) declares what is right and wrong (allowed and forbidden). Messengers enjoin it on their peoples by delivering and following the Message (also see 260-61). We are ordered to follow the Message alone.
?Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve.?
62
How can the Jews and Christians achieve this without ahadith of their Messengers?
?And when We took a promise from you and lifted the mountain over you Take hold of the law We have given you with firmness and bear in mind what is in it, so that you may guard .?
63
We should follow the Message alone. We must not cling to any other source.
67-71 illustrates the foolishness of irrelevant questions and small details.
?Do you then hope that they would believe in you, and a party from among them indeed used to hear the Word of Allah, then altered it after they had understood it, and they know .?
75
The Message is easy to understand (515) and must not be altered for earthly gain or for petty points of view.
?And there are among them illiterates who know not the Book but only lies, and they do but conjecture.?
78
We must know the Book (the Qur?an) and not the conjecture.
?And they say Fire shall not touch us but for a few days. Say Have you received a promise from Allah, then Allah will not fail to perform His promise, or do you speak against Allah what you do not know??
80
A claim must be verified by Allah (SWT).
?And when We made a covenant with the children of Israel You shall not serve any but Allah and good to parents, and to the near of kin and to the orphans and the needy, and you shall speak to men good words and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate. Then you turned back except a few of you and you turn aside.?
83
We have to help THE relatives, and not the Messengers? (see 4223).
?Do you then believe in a part of the Book and disbelieve in the other??
85
According to this ayah, there can be no ayat present (in the Qur?an) which abrogate other ayat present.
?And most certainly We gave Musa the Book and We sent messengers after him one after another; and We gave Isa, the son of Marium, clear arguments and strengthened him with the holy spirit, What! whenever then a messenger came to you with that which your souls did not desire, you were insolent so you called some liars and some you slew.?
87
Messengers were given the Book with its clear arguments.
?And when it is said to them, Believe in what Allah has revealed, they say We believe in that which was revealed to us; and they deny what is besides that, while it is the truth verifying that which they have. Say Why then did you kill Allah's prophets before if you were indeed believers? And most certainly Musa came to you with clear arguments, then you took the calf in his absence and you were unjust. And when We made a covenant with you and raised the mountain over you Take hold of what We have given you with firmness and be obedient. They said We hear and disobey. And they were made to imbibe the calf into their hearts on account of their unbelief Say Evil is that which your belief bids you if you are believers.?
91
Unbelievers believe in what their parents tell them, and not in the Book (with clear arguments). We must take hold of the Qur?an with firmness.
?Say Whoever is the enemy of Jibreel-- for surely he revealed it to your heart by Allah's command, verifying that which is before it and guidance and good news for the believers.?
97
The Book is confirmation, guidance and good news for believers.
?And certainly We have revealed to you clear communications and none disbelieve in them except the transgressors.?
99
The Book is clear and is to be believed.
?And when there came to them a Messenger from Allah verifying that which they have, a party of those who were given the Book threw the Book of Allah behind their backs as if they knew nothing.?
101
The Qur?an is to be believed, not abandoned.
?Whatever communications We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring one better than it or like it. Do you not know that Allah has power over all things??
106
From ayah 285, there can be no ayat present (in the Qur?an) which abrogate other ayat present. Ayah 1 of sura 11 indicates that the ayat are made decisive and are explained in detail. Ayah 82 of sura 4 states that if the Qur?an were not from Allah (SWT) then there would be found in it many discrepancies (contradictions). Ayah 64 of Sura 10 indicates that ?there is no changing the words of Allah?, and thus anyone who claims that one verse abrogates another verse is putting his or her opinion above Allah (SWT) (contradicting 491).
The word ?ayah? can have four meanings ?miracle? (17101), ?example? (2537), ?sign? (1910) or ?verse? (3829). In 2106 the word ?ayah? cannot mean ?verse? (within the Book) for these reasons
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The words ?cause to be forgotten? cannot be compatible if the word ?ayah? in this verse means a verse in the Qur?an. How can a verse in the Qur?an be forgotten? For even if the verse was invalidated by another (as it is claimed) it will still be a part of the Qur?an and thus could never be forgotten.
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The words ?We bring one better than it or like it? would be meaningless if the word ?ayah? in this verse meant a Quranic verse. It would make no sense for Allah (SWT) to invalidate one verse and then replace it with one that is like it (because a verse which contradicts another verse is not like the original) or better than it since the Word of Allah (SWT) has been ?accomplished truly and justly? (6115).
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If the word ?ayah? in 2106 means ?miracle?, ?example? or ?sign?, then all the words of the verse could make perfect sense. ?We bring one better than it or like it? is in line with the miracles of Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) replaces one miracle with its equal or one that is greater than it. Consider
?And certainly We sent Musa with Our communications to Firon and his chiefs, so he said Surely I am the messenger of the Lord of the worlds. But when he came to them with Our signs, lo! they laughed at them. And We did not show them a sign but it was greater than its like, and We overtook them with chastisement that they may turn.?
4346-48
Finally, when placed in context with 2105, 2106 appears to be talking about ?miracles?, ?favours? or even entire scriptures and not ayat within the Qur?an itself
?Those who disbelieve from among the followers of the Book do not like, nor do the polytheists, that the good should be sent down to you from your Lord, and Allah chooses especially whom He pleases for His mercy, and Allah is the Lord of mighty grace. Whatever communications We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring one better than it or like it. Do you not know that Allah has power over all things??
105-106
?Do you not know that Allah's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and that besides Allah you have no guardian or helper? Rather you wish to put questions to your Messenger, as Musa was questioned before; and whoever adopts unbelief instead of faith, he indeed has lost the right direction of the way.?
107-108
Asking too many (irrelevant) questions is a sign of disbelief in Allah (SWT). The Qur?an is clear (299).
?And the Jews say The Christians do not follow anything and the Christians say The Jews do not follow anything while they recite the Book. Even thus say those who have no knowledge, like to what they say; so Allah shall judge between them on the day of resurrection in what they differ.?
113
The Book is the Message. The Message is to be followed and sects are not allowed (6159).
?And those who have no knowledge say Why does not Allah speak to us or a sign come to us? Even thus said those before them, the like of what they say; their hearts are all alike. Indeed We have made the communications clear for a people who are sure.?
118
The Qur?an is clear for those who believe.
?Surely We have sent you with the truth as a bearer of good news and as a warner, and you shall not be called upon to answer for the companions of the flaming fire.?
119
The Qur?an is a bearer of good news and a warning. The Messenger is only a warner.
?And the Jews will not be pleased with you, nor the Christians until you follow their religion. Say Surely Allah's guidance, that is the guidance. And if you follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, you shall have no guardian from Allah, nor any helper.?
120
If Muhammad (SAW) was infallible, why is he consistently warned not to follow the unbelievers?
?Those to whom We have given the Book read it as it ought to be read. These believe in it; and whoever disbelieves in it, these it is that are the losers.?
121
Believers study the Book and do not require extra sources for guidance.
?And be on your guard against a day when no soul shall avail another in the least neither shall any compensation be accepted from it, nor shall intercession profit it, nor shall they be helped.?
123
There is no intercession on the Day of Judgement (unless Allah (SWT) wills). Intercession will not profit anyone.
?And when his Lord tried Ibrahim with certain words, he fulfilled them. He said Surely I will make you an Imam of men. Ibrahim said And of my offspring? My covenant does not include the unjust, said He.?
124
If Messengers (to be) meet a set standard, they are made leaders of their people. The bloodlines of Messengers are not divine. Messengers being community leaders are to be obeyed in what is reasonable (6012) and consultation with the community is needed (3159). They are ordered to judge with justice (45 and by the Qur?an alone (551-52). We must also obey those in authority providing it is consistent with the Qur?an (459). Muhammad (SAW) had the authority to make decisions and was the best to judge by the Qur?an (because he had an ?exalted standard of character? (684)), thus as long as he was judging with justice (needing consultation) he would be obeyed once the decision had been finalised. However, these instances of being obeyed relate to individual circumstances or situations which needed the co-operation of the Messenger?s followers (e.g. ?matters of disagreement? (465). In this context, Muhammad?s (SAW) judgement based on the Qur?an (4105, 543-50) was employed only after those in authority failed to resolve a dispute (459)). ?Those in authority? are mentioned in 483 are those capable of reacting to security situations
?And when there comes to them news of security or fear they spread it abroad; and if they had referred it to the Messenger and to those in authority among them, those among them who can search out the knowledge of it would have known it, and were it not for the grace of Allah upon you and His mercy, you would have certainly followed the Shaitan save a few.?
483
Messengers were not infallible (e.g. 801-10) but they were good examples (395, 4125, 16120-123 and 3321). Moreover, Messengers themselves knew nought of their fates (212 ? how then can we call them perfect? Is it for us to decide their status?
?Our Lord! and make us both submissive to Thee and from our offspring a nation submitting to Thee, and show us our ways of devotion and turn to us , surely Thou art the Oft-returning , the Merciful. Our Lord! and raise up in them a Messenger from among them who shall recite to them Thy communications and teach them the Book and the wisdom, and purify them; surely Thou art the Mighty, the Wise.?
128-129
All religious practices (daily prayer, obligatory charity etc.) come through Ibrahim (SAW). Messengers will come to recite the Message and to teach the Book (i.e. help people to remember and record it). The wisdom (al hikma) comes from Allah (SWT) through the Qur?an (1739, 3334, 362, 434, 4363, 545). Furthermore, the delivery of religious practices (as passed from Ibrahim (SAW) will purify believers (e.g. when Muhammad (SAW) took alms from those who had acknowledged their wrongdoings (9103)).
?And who forsakes the religion of Ibrahim but he who makes himself a fool, and most certainly We chose him in this world, and in the hereafter he is most surely among the righteous. When his Lord said to him, Be a Muslim, he said I submit myself to the Lord of the worlds. And the same did Ibrahim enjoin on his sons and Yaqoub. O my sons! surely Allah has chosen for you faith, therefore die not unless you are Muslims. Nay! were you witnesses when death visited Yaqoub, when he said to his sons What will you serve after me? They said We will serve your god and the god of your fathers, Ibrahim and Ismail and Ishaq, one Allah only, and to Him do
we submit.?130-133
Ibrahim (SAW) was a good example. His Shahada comprised the words ?I submit to the Lord of the Universe?. The religion of Islam was passed down through the generations and His Message was unchanged.
?And they say Be Jews or Christians, you will be on the right course. Say Nay! the religion of Ibrahim, the Hanif, and he was not one of the polytheists. Say We believe in Allah and that which had been revealed to us, and that which was revealed to Ibrahim and Ismail and Ishaq and Yaqoub and the tribes, and that which was given to Musa and Isa, and that which was given to the prophets from their Lord, we do not make any distinction between any of them, and to Him do we submit.?
135-136
Islam is unchanged and does not require new rulings. No distinction should be made amongst the prophets (i.e. we should not say ?Muhammad is THE Messenger of Allah? since he is just one of them).
?Indeed We see the turning of your face to heaven, so We shall surely turn you to a qiblah which you shall like; turn then your face towards the Sacred Mosque, and wherever you are, turn your face towards it, and those who have been given the Book most surely know that it is the truth from their Lord; and Allah is not at all heedless of what they do.?
144
The qiblah is the Sacred Mosque. The Book is the truth, nothing else.
?And even if you bring to those who have been given the Book every sign they would not follow your qiblah, nor can you be a follower of their qiblah, neither are they the followers of each other's qiblah, and if you follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, then you shall most surely be among the unjust.?
145
The knowledge which has come to Muhammad (SAW) is in the Qur?an. Once again he is warned to refrain from following unbelievers.
?Those whom We have given the Book recognize him as they recognize their sons, and a party of them most surely conceal the truth while they know . The truth is from your Lord, therefore you should not be of the doubters.?
146-147
The truth stands out clear from error. It comes from Allah (SWT), and no-one else.
?Even as We have sent among you a Messenger from among you who recites to you Our communications and purifies you and teaches you the Book and the wisdom and teaches you that which you did not know.?
151
See notes for 128-129.
?Therefore remember Me, I will remember you, and be thankful to Me, and do not be ungrateful to Me. O you who believe! seek assistance through patience and prayer; surely Allah is with the patient.?
152-153
Remember Allah (SWT). We must seek assistance from Allah (SWT) alone (15).
?Surely those who conceal the clear proofs and the guidance that We revealed after We made it clear in the Book for men, these it is whom Allah shall curse, and those who curse shall curse them .?
159
Clear proofs and guidance are in the Qur?an. The Book is an adequate guide and all we need.
?And your Allah is one Allah! there is no god but He; He is the Beneficent, the Merciful.?
163
We worship and seek assistance from but one source (15).
?O men! eat the lawful and good things out of what is in the earth, and do not follow the footsteps of the Shaitan; surely he is your open enemy.?
168
The Messenger enjoins what is good and what is forbidden by following the Qur?an. So do the believers (3113-114) (therefore this comes only from the Qur?an).
?And when it is said to them, Follow what Allah has revealed, they say Nay! we follow what we found our fathers upon. What! and though their fathers had no sense at all, nor did they follow the right way.?
170
We are ordered to follow the Qur?an alone, and not our traditions.
?O you who believe! eat of the good things that We have provided you with, and give thanks to Allah if Him it is that you serve. He has only forbidden you what dies of itself, and blood, and flesh of swine, and that over which any other than Allah has been invoked; but whoever is driven to necessity, not desiring, nor exceeding the limit, no sin shall be upon him; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.?
172-173
The Messenger enjoins what is good and what is forbidden by following the Qur?an. So do the believers (3113-114) (therefore this comes only from the Qur?an).
?This is because Allah has revealed the Book with the truth; and surely those who go against the Book are in a great opposition.?
176
We must not in any way go against the clear, complete and fully-detailed Qur?an.
?The month of Ramazan is that in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction??
185
The Qur?an is our guidance containing clear arguments and the criterion of right and wrong.
?It is made lawful to you to go into your wives on the night of the fast; they are an apparel for you and you are an apparel for them; Allah knew that you acted unfaithfully to yourselves, so He has turned to you and removed from you ; so now be in contact with them and seek what Allah has ordained for you, and eat and drink until the whiteness of the day becomes distinct from the blackness of the night at dawn, then complete the fast till night, and have not contact with them while you keep to the mosques; these are the limits of Allah, so do not go near them. Thus does Allah make clear His communications for men that they may guard .?
187
The precepts of Islam are laid out in the fully-detailed Qur?an. See also 6115.
?And accomplish the pilgrimage and the visit for Allah, but if, you are prevented, whatever offering is easy to obtain, and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches its destination;?
196
The shaving of heads (including beards?) is permitted in Islam.
?But if you slip after clear arguments have come to you, then know that Allah is Mighty, Wise.?
209
The Qur?an is a clear argument, and is sufficient for us.
?Ask the Israelites how many a clear sign have We given them; and whoever changes the favor of Allah after it has come to him, then surely Allah is severe in requiting .?
211
What Allah (SWT) gives to the Messenger to bestow on people should not be altered nor ignored.
? people are a single nation; so Allah raised prophets as bearers of good news and as warners, and He revealed with them the Book with truth, that it might judge between people in that in which they differed; and none but the very people who were given it differed about it after clear arguments had come to them, revolting among themselves; so Allah has guided by His will those who believe to the truth about which they differed and Allah guides whom He pleases to the right path.?
213
Messengers are only bearers of good news and warners. The Book is the judgement of Allah (SWT) and Messengers and leaders must likewise judge by it. The Qur?an is sufficient for resolving our disputes.
?They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance. Say In both of them there is a great sin and means of profit for men, and their sin is greater than their profit. And they ask you as to what they should spend. Say What you can spare. Thus does Allah make clear to you the communications, that you may ponder.?
219
The precepts of Islam are clarified by the Qur?an (it is the Criterion). Zakat is what we can afford.
?And do not marry the idolatresses until they believe, and certainly a believing maid is better than an idolatress woman, even though she should please you; and do not give in marriage to idolaters until they believe, and certainly a believing servant is better than an idolater, even though he should please you; these invite to the fire, and Allah invites to the garden and to forgiveness by His will, and makes clear His communications to men, that they may be mindful.?
221
The precepts of Islam are clarified by the Qur?an (it is the Criterion).
?And when you divorce women and they reach their prescribed time, then either retain them in good fellowship or set them free with liberality, and do not retain them for injury, so that you exceed the limits, and whoever does this, he indeed is unjust to his own soul; and do not take Allah's communications for a mockery, and remember the favor of Allah upon you, and that which He has revealed to you of the Book and the Wisdom, admonishing you thereby; and be careful Allah, and know that Allah is the Knower of all things.?
231
We must never ignore the Qur?an for favour of something else. The Qur?an (the Book) contains ?the wisdom? (it comes from Allah (SWT), not the prophet).
?Allah thus makes clear to you His communications that you may understand.?
242
The Qur?an is clear and well-expounded (see also 6114-115).
?And their prophet said to them Surely Allah has raised Talut to be a king over you. They said How can he hold kingship over us while we have a greater right to kingship than he, and he has not been granted an abundance of wealth? He said Surely Allah has chosen him in preference to you, and He has increased him abundantly in knowledge and physique, and Allah grants His kingdom to whom He pleases, and Allah is Amplegiving, Knowing.?
247
The criterion for leadership does not depend on people?s perceptions of whose ?right? it is. It depends (at least in part) on knowledge.
?We have made some of these messengers to excel the others; among them are they to whom Allah spoke, and some of them He exalted by rank; and We gave clear miracles to Isa son of Marium, and strengthened him with the holy spirit. And if Allah had pleased, those after them would not have fought one with another after clear arguments had come to them, but they disagreed; so there were some of them who believed and others who denied; and if Allah had pleased they would not have fought one with another, but Allah brings about what He intends.?
253
The Messages contain clear arguments, but people do not understand.
?O you who believe! spend out of what We have given you before the day comes in which there is no bargaining, neither any friendship nor intercession, and the unbelievers - they are the unjust.?
254
There is no intercession during the Day of Judgement.
??who is he that can intercede with Him but by His permission??
255
No-one can intercede without His permission. According to other ayat His permission is not likely to be given.
?There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error; therefore, whoever disbelieves in the Shaitan and believes in Allah he indeed has laid hold on the firmest handle, which shall not break off, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing.?
256
The right path is made distinct by the Criterion (the Qur?an).
?And when Ibrahim said My Lord! show me how Thou givest life to the dead, He said What! and do you not believe? He said Yes, but that my heart may be at ease. He said Then take four of the birds, then train them to follow you, then place on every mountain a part of them, then call them, they will come to you flying; and know that Allah is Mighty, Wise.?
260
Messengers sometimes question faith. They are imperfect but still Allah (SWT) guides them.
?Does one of you like that he should have a garden of palms and vines with streams flowing beneath it; he has in it all kinds of fruits; and old age has overtaken him and he has weak offspring, when, a whirlwind with fire in it smites it so it becomes blasted; thus Allah makes the communications clear to you, that you may reflect.?
266
The Book contains clear arguments.
?He grants wisdom to whom He pleases, and whoever is granted wisdom, he indeed is given a great good and none but men of understanding mind.?
269
Allah (SWT) grants wisdom, not the prophets The wisdom comes with the scripture (1739, 3334, 362, 434, 4363, 545). It is (in part) the ability to recognise truth and to adhere to it (2269, 1912, 2621, 2683, 2814, 312, 3112, 3820).
?Surely they who believe and do good deeds and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate they shall have their reward from their Lord, and they shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve.?
277
In context of the previous four ayat, zakat is whatever we can spare (see 2219).
?Allah teaches you, and Allah knows all things.?
282
Allah (SWT) directs us to the right path.
?The messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and the believers; they all believe in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers; We make no difference between any of His messengers; and they say We hear and obey, our Lord! Thy forgiveness , and to Thee is the eventual course.?
285
Believers are those who believe in Allah (SWT) and His Messages. We must not make distinction amongst Messengers, because they all carry the same Message. The Book was enough for them, and it is enough for us.
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