A tentative step towards understanding the Quran
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First, let me say that I do not doubt the Quran. However, I do have doubts as to how it is interpreted and used when taken out of context. It seems to me, that it is very easy to extract meaning to suit one's own inclinations and presumptions if there is not a thorough exploration done on the context of the ayat and how other ayat help shed more light onto/support its meaning. Just in my search for a translation of the Quran that was not influenced by hadith or other male dominated perspectives, I saw how varied the translated meanings are. A such, I do not refer to one translation alone and try to get a broader picture by reading many.
And this leads me to a more subtle topic on literal verses abstract. I came across a very interesting translation (although, it has in it injected meanings as supported by the Quran itself) of surah 37 from Shabbir Ahmed's The Quran as it Explains Itself (2003)
(The Book He has sent down bears an important Principle.) He it is Who has revealed to you (O Prophet) the Scripture. In it some verses are Literal, while some verses are Allegorical. The verses that pertain to Permanent Values have been presented literally. These verses, MUHKAMAT, are the Essence of the Divine Law. On the other hand, abstract phenomena, historical events, and the World of the Unseen are described in similes, metaphors and allegories for your understanding (MUTASHABIHAT). But those who are given to crookedness in their hearts pursue the allegories and try to give them literal meanings, thus creating dissension. None knows their final meaning (of such as the Essence of God, His Throne, His Book of Decree, the Eternity) but Allah. Those who are well founded in knowledge understand why the allegories have been used and they keep drawing lessons from them (7431). They proclaim the belief that the entire Book is from their Lord. As the human knowledge evolves, many of the other allegories will unfold their literal meaning (4153). But only the men and women of understanding will bear this fact in mind. (Each of the verses in the Qur'an is MUHKAM, Absolute Truth and you can understand which ones are to be taken literally and which ones are to be taken allegorically, by the context (111), (4720). And each verse in the Book complements the other (3923)).
As I compare it to other translations I see that there was a great amount of liberty taken in interpreting this verse. Although I actually resonate with the meaning that has been extracted, with my little knowledge of the Quran, i am still hesitant to take it word for word....
Words are strange in that they are in fact very abstract entities. They are symbols for meaning, not meaning themselves. And meaning is something that is felt and understood on a very deep (and personal) level. So, for myself, I am keep coming back to the same place - the Quran is a guide for the subconscious. A guide, not a rule book. I think, that how we use it to prove points, change attitudes and determine actions should be taken with great care and conscience.
I say all this with the awareness that it is just my opinion from a limited perspective.
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Salaam,
This is a really interesting topic. I am pretty much in agreement with you about interpretation and context. I used to read different translations but now prefer to stick to Ahmed Ali's translation as its lyrical and beautiful and thankfully there is no verbose tafsir to detract attention from the translation. Plus, the very few times that he does discuss a potentially contentious issue he and I seem to have similar thinking--perhaps I am pandering to my biases!
The Quran does mention allegorical and literal verses but I think its purpose as a book is to give a broad outline and its for us to navigate the rest. God exhorts us to think, reflect and wonder a clear call to use intellect, logic and intuition.
I personally feel if we develop a sense of Taqwa or God Consciousness and follow our conscience we should be fine. As for things that seem unclear--its odd but things do eventually make sense as we think them through and some stuff takes longer but that's alright.
The main thing is to cultivate a trust in God and cultivate qualities within ourselves such as perseverance, justness, kindness and compassion all mentioned frequently within the Quran and essential for a decent and dignified life.
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Salam. 2 questions for the both of you.
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On what basis do you distinguish literal verses from allegorical verses?
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What is Ahmed Ali basing his translation on and why should I trust it? If he's injecting his own uinderstanding into the Qur'an, that is just the opinions of man added to the alleged word of God.
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