The Science of Quranic Study
Learning the Proper Method of Approaching the Qur'an
Such mistakes are at the core of many fractures among Muslims themselves, or between Muslims and those who choose to debate or challenge them. One Verse (or "Ayah") not completed correctly by ignoring particular grammatical symbols can completely change the meaning of that Ayah to mean the exact opposite or at the least to mean something other than that which was intended.
There Is a Reason for the Rules
There are rules of recitation (Tilawa) and Tajweed that must be adhered to for very good reason. There are signs that indicate that if you stop or pause at that point, the meaning will be lost. This mark also means that if you are quoting the Qur'an regarding that Ayah, you cannot separate from the part that is after that "La" (or NO) symbol. It means you cannot stop there.
It is also pressed upon the reader to know the chronology of the revelation because there are certain Ayahs that are updated and rendered obsolete by a later one. These are the rules of "Nasikh and Mansukh".
For instance, in the early days of Islam, before the full revelation of the Qur'an was complete, some people used to consume alcohol and there was an Ayah revealed regarding not approaching prayer while one is in a state of drunkeness. The assumption that alcohol is permitted in Islam was then obliterated with a new Ayah in the later stages of revelation that forbid alcohol altogether - so that first ayah's order became obsolete.
The Ayah remains as there is still a lesson to learn in it and the history and order of the events are important, as no Ayah has been changed one iota since the revelation of the Qur'an.
Another key component to approaching a deeper understanding of the Qur'an is understanding history at the time of the revelation of each Ayah, as this helps to explain the circumstances that necessitated the revelation so that it can be applied to one's life appropriately. There are great resources for such history, including the Ahadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him).
Importance of Learning Arabic
One of the most key factors of approaching a study of the Qur'an is knowledge of the Arabic language. The Qur'an was revealed in Arabic and there are nuances that cannot be translated perfectly into any language. When one approaches it in any other language, they are only approaching one particular person's perception of it in their language.
Suggestions for Success
None of this is to say that one should stop reading the Qur'an completely before completing all of the above steps. However it is to say that they should be careful to make assumptions and claim things about the Qur'an that they are not actually sure of. A great primer in English for an approach to the science of Quranic Study is Ulum Al Qur'an, by Ahmad von Denffer.
For more basic info on Islam, click here.
Allah sent the Qur'an as a Guidance for Mankind
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