Arabic word has many meanings
Mu' meneen Brothers
and Sisters,
As Salaam
Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and
Blessings be upon all of you)
One of our
brothers/sisters has asked this question:
“The nature of
arabic language may allow more than one and sometimes opposite meanings of the
same word. for e.g. as asa may mean to advance or to retreat (Surah
at.takwir:17). The word mahid may mean period of a woman’s menstruation or the
actual body region where menses occurs.This results in diverse fiqhi position.”
Written in the book ‘Fiqh us Sunnah’by As-Sayyid Sabbiq.
After this
there were many examples cited, ( I couldn’t mention them due to the shortage
of time)which showed how the various leaders or the hadith writers differed and
sometimes very opposite to one another.
Also in various
places in the same book there were many sayings of Prophet Mohammed but were
taken in various ways. I’m really confused now as to follow what.
I know your
reply would be to follow the Holy Quran and the Sunnah but how ? Because I
started reading the books in which Allah or Allah’s messengers sayings are
written ,only after you said..Please enlighten me coz now I am completely
baffled after your mails.
(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)
Answer:
Arabic word has many
meanings
In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask
for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever
He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that
there is no one (no idol, no
person, no grave, no prophet, no imam,
no dai, nobody!) worthy of
worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His
slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.
The
truth is that some words in any language may be used for more than one
meaning. But when read in its
context, one who knows the language and
understands its context, will have no
doubt as to what it means.
Lets take
a simple example in the English language for the word ‘drop’:
- There was a drop
of blood on his clothes.
- I was supposed to drop
him to the airport.
- He was told to put his hands
up, and drop
his gun.
- If you drop
tea on the sofa, the stain will
stay forever.
- If you cry and the tears drop
on your cheeks, we will know you were upset.
In
any language, there are many words that
can be used in different ways; but the
one who understands the language and reads it in context, will always easily understand the meaning.
Your Statement: I’m really confused now as to follow what.
I know your reply would be to follow the Holy Quran and the Sunnah but how ?
Because I started reading the books in which Allah or Allah’s messengers sayings
are written ,only after you said..
We
still say that you follow only what Allah says in the Holy Quran, and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah
(saws); and if Allah wills, that is what we will keep on saying till our
last breath, Insha Allah!
The
reason is that there is absolutely no confusion in most of the aayahs of the
Holy Quran; unless one tries to take
one word or one phrase from the aayah,
and try to interpret its meaning in isolation. If one reads the Holy Quran in context, seeking guidance from the All Merciful
Lord, he will never ever be confused or
mis-guided.
Allah says in the Holy Quran in Chapter 3 Surah
Ale Imran verse 7:
It is Allah, Who sent down this Quran to you.
(There are two kinds of verses in the Book.) In it are verses Basic or Fundamental (of established meanings
which can be easily understood), and
they are the essence or foundation of the Book. And the other verses are Allegorical or Ambiguous. Those in whose hearts is perversity will
always go for the Allegorical or Ambiguous
verses, seeking discord and trying to
search for their hidden meanings.
None, except Allah, knows their real meanings(Ta’aweel)! In contrast to them, those who are firmly grounded in
knowledge, say: “We believe in them
all, because all of them are from our
Lord.
In the
above verse Allah Subhanah Himself declares that there are two kinds of verses
in the Quran; one, whose verses are basic or fundemental and of
established meanings that can easily be understood, and the other which are allegorical or ambiguous. Allah also declares that the ones which
are basic or fundemental are the essence or foundation of the Book!
But there
are some allegorical verses (like Alif. Laam.
Meem., etc.), whose meanings are
known to Allah Alone! Allah declares
that those in whose hearts is a disease or perversity, always go after these allegorical and
ambiguous verses, and try to interpret
them arbitrarily; seeking discord and
trying to search for their hidden or mystic meanings.
Thus, those whose hearts are clean, and do not have the disease of hypocrisy and
perversity, never have a problem
understanding the clear aayahs of the Holy Quran. They trust the words of the Holy Quran, because they know with certainty that these
are the very Words of their Lord and Creator,
which He has revealed for their guidance.
Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 16 Surah
Nahl verse 89:
We have sent down to you this Book, which makes
everything plain, and is a
guidance, blessing and good news to
those who have surrendered themselves entirely.
Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 18 Surah
Kahf verse 1-3:
All praise is for Allah Alone, Who has sent down this Book to His Servant
(Mohamed (saws), and assigned nothing
crooked to it. This Book says
everything directly, so that he may
warn the people of the severe chastisement of Allah and give good news to the
believers, who do righteous deeds, that they will have an excellent reward.
Allah
says in Chapter 2, Surah Baqarah aayat 185:
"Ramadan is the month in which the Quran
was sent down: this Book is a perfect guidance for mankind and consists of
CLEAR teachings which show the right way and are a Criterion of the Truth and
falsehood."
Allah
Subhanah Himself declares that the Quran is clear, plain, direct, and a Criterion between the Truth and
falsehood!
Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to
Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only
Source of Strength.
Your Brother in Islam,
Burhan
Wister