The Qur'an: Interpretations
I admit that I have been very curious and interested in the growing alarm that intelligent, educated Indians are having towards the Muslim influences in India. No doubt that this enlarged interest follows closely on the heels of world events and the econo-political global situation involving Islamic nations right now.
A weekend discussion between a bunch of non Muslims faced me with my ignorance of Islam. No doubt, as one of the participants pointed out, world events, wars, violence and aggressions are motivated by a WHOLE lot more than religion alone - there are political, social, economic and resource issues that of greater potency. Nevertheless, I have a burning curiosity now to get first hand information.
We had talked about the concept of Jihad maybe being something that people interpret differently = Is it the "war within" (good movie), or is it an external struggle ?
So I started reading with the hope that I will soon get to reading the actual text itself.
Interestingly I found that the Qur'an, very very unlike Hindu texts, appears to be specific and self referential about what it's meaning should be. The Qur'an sets apart exoteric (literal / conventional) interpretation from esoteric interpretation (inner layers, hidden meanings, mystic meanings, philosophic interpretations). Some sects of Islam have extremely explicit and strict restrictions on esoteric meanings. Indeed, this appears to be one fundamental difference between the Sunnis (emphasize the exoteric / conventional and apparent meaning) and Shi'as (acknowledge the allegorical meanings and consider the Imam as the authority on esoteric meanings).
Despite the difference, there appears to be a SIGNIFICANTLY more "standard" understanding of the Qur'an than the Vedas (no surprise), and the text has been replicated fairly accurately, in the original language, since 632 CE around when it is said to have been compiled. Islam also has a specific term for reinterpretations, innovations or changes, which it considers negatively as "Tahrif". Islam claims that the Bible and the Torah have been been distorted over time, but were valid at one time.
The Qur'an itself suggests that it should be read literally. It claims that seeking the hidden meanings is perverse and will lead to discord. Both Sunnis and Shias appear to agree that hidden meanings are necessary in order to describe things that are beyond the human scope. The Sunni's seem to hold that allegorical meanings are available but unimportant to the student who should focus on the clear & undeniable meanings. Shias generally agree, but in subtle contrast add that hidden meanings can be interpreted by the knowledgeable sources (the Imams) for those who want to delve into the mysteries.
There are verses in the Qur'an directly address its interpretations. From Wiki:
He it is who has sent down to thee the Book: In it are verses basic (of established meaning); they are the foundation of the Book: others are allegorical. But those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part thereof that is allegorical, seeking discord, and searching for its hidden meanings, but no one knows its hidden meanings except God. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in the Book; the whole of it is from our Lord:" and none will grasp the Message except men of understanding.(Sura 3:7)
Sunni: " but no one knows its hidden meanings except God. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: ..."
Shia: "but no one knows its hidden meanings except God and those who are firmly grounded in knowledge. They say: ..."
Where there appears to be far more room for interpretation though is in the Sharia law. However, since the Sharia is also revealed as part of the Qur'an, I am hoping that by reading an English translation from a Muslim source, I can begin to form my own opinion on those as well.
A weekend discussion between a bunch of non Muslims faced me with my ignorance of Islam. No doubt, as one of the participants pointed out, world events, wars, violence and aggressions are motivated by a WHOLE lot more than religion alone - there are political, social, economic and resource issues that of greater potency. Nevertheless, I have a burning curiosity now to get first hand information.
We had talked about the concept of Jihad maybe being something that people interpret differently = Is it the "war within" (good movie), or is it an external struggle ?
So I started reading with the hope that I will soon get to reading the actual text itself.
Interestingly I found that the Qur'an, very very unlike Hindu texts, appears to be specific and self referential about what it's meaning should be. The Qur'an sets apart exoteric (literal / conventional) interpretation from esoteric interpretation (inner layers, hidden meanings, mystic meanings, philosophic interpretations). Some sects of Islam have extremely explicit and strict restrictions on esoteric meanings. Indeed, this appears to be one fundamental difference between the Sunnis (emphasize the exoteric / conventional and apparent meaning) and Shi'as (acknowledge the allegorical meanings and consider the Imam as the authority on esoteric meanings).
Despite the difference, there appears to be a SIGNIFICANTLY more "standard" understanding of the Qur'an than the Vedas (no surprise), and the text has been replicated fairly accurately, in the original language, since 632 CE around when it is said to have been compiled. Islam also has a specific term for reinterpretations, innovations or changes, which it considers negatively as "Tahrif". Islam claims that the Bible and the Torah have been been distorted over time, but were valid at one time.
The Qur'an itself suggests that it should be read literally. It claims that seeking the hidden meanings is perverse and will lead to discord. Both Sunnis and Shias appear to agree that hidden meanings are necessary in order to describe things that are beyond the human scope. The Sunni's seem to hold that allegorical meanings are available but unimportant to the student who should focus on the clear & undeniable meanings. Shias generally agree, but in subtle contrast add that hidden meanings can be interpreted by the knowledgeable sources (the Imams) for those who want to delve into the mysteries.
There are verses in the Qur'an directly address its interpretations. From Wiki:
He it is who has sent down to thee the Book: In it are verses basic (of established meaning); they are the foundation of the Book: others are allegorical. But those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part thereof that is allegorical, seeking discord, and searching for its hidden meanings, but no one knows its hidden meanings except God. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in the Book; the whole of it is from our Lord:" and none will grasp the Message except men of understanding.(Sura 3:7)
Sunni: " but no one knows its hidden meanings except God. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: ..."
Shia: "but no one knows its hidden meanings except God and those who are firmly grounded in knowledge. They say: ..."
Where there appears to be far more room for interpretation though is in the Sharia law. However, since the Sharia is also revealed as part of the Qur'an, I am hoping that by reading an English translation from a Muslim source, I can begin to form my own opinion on those as well.