قرآن فہمی کے اصول: حدیث و سنت اور فہمِ صحابہ کی روشنی میں

METHODOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES OF QUR'ANIC INTERPRETATION: BASED ON HADITH, PROPHETIC SUNNAH, AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMPANIONS

Abstract

The Noble Qur'an is the foundational source of the religion of Islam, revealed as guidance, light, and a complete code of life for all of humanity. While it is unmatched in its eloquence, comprehensiveness, and universality, its true understanding cannot be attained merely through the apparent meanings of words and phrases. The Qur'an is a holistic message, and to comprehend it fully, Allah Himself has established certain principles and means. Foremost among these is the noble person of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who was sent as the living embodiment and practical interpretation of the Qur'an.The Prophet ﷺ not only recited the Qur'an in the light of divine revelation but also clarified its rulings, explained its meanings, and implemented its commands in his daily life. In this regard, Hadith and Sunnah constitute the practical exegesis of the Qur'an, without which a sound understanding of the divine message is not possible. Hence, all exegetes, hadith scholars, and jurists unanimously agree that the foundation for interpreting the Qur'an must be rooted in Hadith and Sunnah.Alongside this, the role of the Companions (Sahabah) is also fundamental in understanding the Qur'an. They were the first direct recipients of revelation; they witnessed the Qur'an being revealed and observed the Prophet ﷺ's sayings and actions firsthand. Their hearts were illuminated by the light of the Qur'an, and their minds were enlightened by the Prophetic guidance. Thus, their statements and practices—referred to as Aathar al-Sahabah (Reports of the Companions) offer a depth of insight into Qur'anic interpretation that later generations cannot independently achieve.The scholars of the Ummah have always relied on Hadith and the reports of the Companions when interpreting the Qur'an. This methodological approach is consistently evident in the interpretive traditions of the Sahabah, the Tabi‘un, the Tabi‘ al-Tabi‘in, and the four great Imams. They all based their understanding of every verse, command, and narrative of the Qur'an on the Sunnah and prioritized the interpretations of the Companions.It is also an established fact that many of the Qur'anic rulings are presented in general or concise terms, the elaboration of which is found in the Sunnah. Sometimes the Qur'an speaks in summary, general, or specific language, and in each case, it is the Sunnah and the reports of the Companions that provide the necessary clarification, specification, or contextualization. Ignoring these essential sources in interpreting the Qur'an risks distorting its meanings and destabilizing the very foundations of religion.From the Prophetic era until today, Hadith, Sunnah, and the reports of the Companions have retained their crucial role in understanding and reflecting upon the Qur'an. To interpret the Qur'an solely through personal reasoning or philosophical abstraction, bypassing these sources, is tantamount to opening the doors to misguidance—something clearly evidenced in the history of various deviant sects.Therefore, in this sacred process of Qur'anic comprehension, the Hadith of the Messenger, the purified Sunnah, and the insights of the Companions serve as foundational pillars. Together, they collectively reflect the light of the Qur'an in its fullest intensity, without which the path of divine guidance cannot be fully illuminated.