Based on the classification of the verses of the Qur'an into the definitive {muhkam} and the metaphorical {mutashabih},[13][92] and into the abrogating {nasikh} and the abrogated {mansukh}, in explaining some verses, one should not content himself with only their external purport because their external purport could be doubtful and misleading. Meanwhile, according to the traditions, the Qur'an has many cores and layers, the understanding which is not possible for everyone. As such, in understanding some verses, it is necessary to take other verses into account. For example, in interpreting verses such as:
الرَّحْمَانُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَى
. The All-beneficent settled on the Throne,[14][93]
وَجَاءَ رَبُّكَ وَالْمَلَكُ صَفًّا صَفًّا
. And Your Lord and the angels arrive in ranks,[15][94] one must seek the assistance of other verses for clarity and correct interpretation such as:
لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ
. Nothing is like Him,[16][95]
وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
. Nor has He any equal,[17][96]
وَكَانَ اللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمًا .
And Allah has knowledge of all things.[18][97] There are two approaches in dealing with these kinds of verses. One group is the literalists who content themselves with the literal meaning of the verses. The other group is the allegorists who take into account other verses in explaining and analyzing these kinds of verses, and they believe in allegorical interpretation {Ta'wil}. For instance, in interpreting the verse, (عَلى الْعَرْشِ استَوَى) ”…settled on the Throne,”[19][98] they have said that ”'arsh” is the Throne exclusive for God where He is settled, but the allegorists have given two probabilities for this verse: (1) 'arsh is a thing having the three dimensions of width, height and depth; and (2) 'arsh alludes to a fact and concept having no material characteristics.
It is worthy to note that abataba'i (+'Allamah Tr) accepts the first probability while the late Sha'rani (r) advocates the second probability. It must be emphasized that in interpreting these kinds of verses, those who content themselves with their literal meanings are committing an indescribable mistake and blunder. It is because if one believes in the literal interpretation of ”…settled on the Throne,” he must then assume God to have a physical body, while God is not a body.
Ta’wil according to the Wahhabis
'Abd al-'Aziz Muhammad Sultan, a Wahhabi writer, regards Ta'wil as having three meanings:
1. Ta'wil means translating a word from the preferable probability {ihtimal rajih} to the preferred probability {ihtimal marjuh}.
2. Ta'wil means interpretation of the word whether it is consistent or inconsistent with its literal sense.
3. Ta'wil means the unknown truth and quality which are known only to God.
Then, he writes that Ta'wil in any case is forbidden, and the exoteric meaning must not be turned into the esoteric one. The exoteric meaning must be maintained even if it is inconsistent with actuality and reason.[20][99]
The Shi`ah, however, are of the opinion that with acceptable evidence a word can be separated from its literal meaning and be reunited with its esoteric and actual meaning. In this respect, proofs, pieces of evidence and verses of the Qur'an can be cited, but dealing lengthily with this subject is beyond the scope of this book.
The fact must be pointed out, nevertheless, that the Wahhabi practice of restricting their focus on the literal and exoteric meaning of the verses is extremely dangerous, and it will encounter problems on mystical and rational issues.
The Juhaymi nature of the Shi`ah
The Wahhabis identify the Shi`ah who make Ta'wil and tafsir of the verses of the Qur'an as ”Juhaymis”. This is because Juhaym ibn Safwan, who lived in the 2nd century AH, used to engage in Ta'wil and he believed in it. Of course, contrary to the notion of the Wahhabis, the Shi`ah do not follow that person on the subject of Ta'wil. They rather follow the pure Imams ('a) who have allegorically interpreted innumerable verses. The Qur'an itself talks about Ta'wil, using the word itself through the tongue of °adrat Yusuf (Joseph) ('a) when he says:
إِذْ قَالَ يُوسُفُ لأَبِيهِ: يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ أَحَدَ عَشَرَ كَوْكَباً وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ رَأَيْتُهُمْ لِي سَاجِدِينَ .
When Joseph said to his father, 'Father! I saw eleven planets, and the sun and the moon: I saw them prostrating themselves before me'.[21][100] After Yusuf ('a) was released from prison and became a chief {'aziz} in Egypt, and a famine engulfed Palestine and Egypt, the sons of Ya'qub (Jacob) ('a) came to Yusuf ('a) to get their ration of grains. After recognizing one another, Yusuf ('a) requested them to return to Egypt along with their father. When Ya'qub ('a) and his wife and sons saw Yusuf ('a) with such glory and grandeur, they prostrated before him. Then, Yusuf ('a) recounted his childhood dream, saying:
يَا أَبَتِ هَذَا تَأْوِيلُ رُؤْيَاي مِنْ قَبْلُ .
'Father! This is the fulfillment {Ta'wil} of my dream of long ago.[22][101] The moon, the sun and eleven stars that prostrated before Yusuf ('a) were interpreted as referring to Ya'qub ('a), and his wife and 11 sons. Of course, the interpretation of this dream was not clear in the beginning for Yusuf ('a). After many years, however, the fulfillment of this dream was made manifest to them.
Therefore, Ta'wil means that when the meaning of a verse is not clear, by employing the assistance of other verses and reliable traditions, the meaning that is closer to the reality is obtained.
The Wahhabis have not trodden the path of enlightenment
Nowadays, the Wahhabis and some Shi`ah are traversing a path, which shows their close-mindedness, and will entail dangerous consequences prompting them to totally seclude themselves from society and render them incapable of responding to rational and religious issues. This path is one where they are content only with the literal meanings of Qur'anic verses and Prophetic traditions; the path of non-recognition of philosophy, mysticism {'irfan} and philosophical-scholastic {kalami} proofs; and heedlessness to the new sciences.
The truth must be accepted, however, that in every epoch, the Qur'an is loftier than human though.
Therefore, one should not be content with its literal meaning and interpret its probabilities because human mind and thought advance every day and discover new realities. As this Wahhabi idea can become a pretext for neglecting the Qur'an since they consider the human mind as incapable of understanding it and therefore, this book of revelation would end up only being kissed and set aside. One must rather strive as much as possible to understand it properly.
Notes:
[23][92] Surat al ‘Imran 3:7: “It is He who has sent down to you the Book. Parts of it are definitive verses, which are the mother of the Book, while others are metaphorical.”
source : alhassanain
