How to Understand Quran BY Quran Itself & Why should we Always Read Quran with Word by Word Translation and Not Through Tafseer, or Mafhom or exposition?
A translation will be considered as a word from GOD ALMIGHTY, only if the translation is written without the influence of any preconceived ideas of the narrator; it should include complete due diligence, with the absolute consideration of logic, sense, justice, reasoning, HAQ (as both absolute truth and Utmost Justice), and proper adoption of the right meanings in place of every single Quranic- word. As soon as we use our own words and statements as explanation of Quranic words (in any exposition, or mafhom or tafseer) it means we are trying to push the reader to think in our way. However, we are supposed to give word by word translation to the reader. We can choose best possible translation for each Quranic Word through vocabulary/lughat but we should not push the reader to think in our way. Imagine we, as writers, use brackets and insert our own word as per our own opinions, how are we sure that, this is the best possible opinion one can form out of that particular Quranic Ayah? We must give a fair chance to the reader to explore and understand Quran as per their own specific situation, intellect and capacity.
When, as writers of Tafseer, or Mafhom or Explosition, we add our own words as explanation for the Quranic ayahs, the statement becomes our own opinion i.e. the opinion of the writer about that particular ayah. It does not remain the word of Allah anymore. Sooner any word or statement is added as a means of explanation of the ayah, the HAQ is changed and now it not the Allah’s word- its now our opinion as the writer of Tafseer, or Mafhom or Explosition.
We need to keep in mind, a truth can only remain a truth when there is no change in it i.e. No addition, no amendment, no deletion whatsoever. The writer can always explain his/her views in separate paragraphs but not as a translation of the Quaranic ayah itself in the same para. Mixing his/her own words with Quranic words, is like changing the words of Allah. We can get many examples in Quran where an ayah needs more elaboration and explanation, but still it does not justify to manipulate a reader’s mind. We have to chose best possible substitute word available in the translated language as is applicable to that ayah’s context or we can choose to let the Quranic word as is. We can add 2nd paragraphs to explain the ayah in our opinion, but we must let reader talk to the Quran- not to us. After giving word by word translation, if we have to further explain it, we should give our opinions in a separate paragraph.
In ALL the expositions, Mafhoms and Tafseer; the writer adds his/her own conceptual words in the translation which compromise the actual word by word translation concept and the actual Quranic Guidance. When Readers rely on these expositions and mafhom, its like they have placed a wall between actual Quranic guidance and the reader thereby restricting/blocking the reader from the true Quranic guidance. Each and every one of us has the duty to pick up Quran, read it, understand it by ourselves and implement it as it applies to us, to our very specific situation and environment. Rather than relying on tafseer, exposition or mafhom, It is our bare minimum duty as Muslims to spend time to understand Quran. Otherwise we would be reading the person who has written the tafseer or mafhom or exposition, not the Quran itself. It’s not the GOD’s word, its not the Quranic Ayah.
When you pick word for word translations, you have to spend time to understand each and every word and ayah. Many words in the translation may have to be changed back to the original Qur’anic words in order to get better understanding of these words through Quranic dictionary and picking up the best suitable meaning which suits best for that particular ayah and its context. However, by learning Quran through word by word translation and then thinking and reflecting on the ayahs along with keeping in mind the whole context of that ayah, this whole process, this methodology will make you understand the true Quranic guidance. In order to understand this process more, please refer to our series “How to Understand Quranic Ayahs”- a 3 part videos in both English and Urdu Languages.
Keep in mind the difference between “Al-Kitaab’- the book and ‘Al-Quran’- the Quran. Even reading Quran in Arabic is just a book if the reader is simply reading the book. It will become Quran only when the words of Allah; the word of the Book; the hidayah, the commandments and the teachings starts landing on the heart and mind of the reader, then and only then the book becomes the Quran.
Quran is not only for those who understand Arabic or who are Arabic language experts, Quran is for the whole humanity, for people of all races, languages, geographical locations and for all generations to come until the end of time. And anyone can understand Quran through Quran itself. When Allah says in Quran “we have made Quran Simple for Zikr” i.e. Quran has been made simple and easy to understand and follow; then who are we as normal Muslims to reject or deny this very clear Quranic Ayahs?
The ayahs in Quran are very simple and clear if we take word by word translation of each Quranic ayah. Every one has to check few ayahs before and few ayahs after that particular ayah in order to understand context of the ayah. This is how to learn Quran by Quran Itself instead of reading someone else’s opinion in the form of exposition or mafhom or tafseer; let Allah talk to the reader HIMSELF. There is a possibility that a reader may understand Quran way better than us. It is GOD ALMIGHTY who gives hidayah; We all try our best!