Interpreting Sacred Texts

      "It is common-extremely common-to find people in all religious communities who read their sacred texts selectively. When one lifts a line here or two sentences there from the page, one can make a sacred text support literally any position or theology imaginable. The world of the 21st centruy is awash with religious leaders and obedient belivers who use sacred texts in this way. The consequence of such selective narrowness and the zealotry it reinforces is often deadly. The righteous slaughter by Christian crusaders and inquisitors as well as massacre carried out by the Baruch Goldstein at Abrahan's tomb are chilling examples.

      Muslims, like Jews and Christians, who claim asacred text face the challenges of understanding and interpreting the whole text. The ceaseless production of numerous, mulivolume commentaries on the Bible and Quran right up to this day illustrates that this process of interpretation in ongoing. It is easy enough to declare the "truth" and then find sacred texts to support the claim; it is far more daunting to wrestle with the entire text and seek to discern the meaning and contemporary application of the truths one believes are contained therein."

-Charles Kimball

Interpreting the Quran

          Although the revelation of the Quran is considered eternal, Muslims also speak about the "occasion of revelation" as a necessary component for interpreting the meaning of a given passage. In other words, many of the verses in the Quran speak directly to particular circumstances. A good illustration of an “occasion of revelation” is found at the beginning of surah 80, entitled “He frowned.” The first verses of the chapter read:

 

In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful.

He frowned and turned away

Because a blind man came to him.

What make you think that he will not grow in virtue,

Or be admonished, and the admonition profit him?

As for the one who is not in want of any thing,

You pay full attention,

Though it is not your concern if he should not grow (in fullness)

As for him who comes to you striving (after goodness),

And is also fearful (of God),

You neglect.

Assuredly this is a reminder

For any one who desires to bear it in mind (Quran 80:1-12)

 

             According to Muslim commentators, the specific occasion for this revelation helps one to understand it in context as well as draw the larger principles being communicated. One day, during the early Meccan period, Muhammad was engaged in conversation with one of the prominent leaders of the Quraysh (the ruling tribe in Mecca). As Muhammad was speaking to persuade the man of the truth of Islam, a blind man came and asked him a question concerning the faith. The prophet was annoyed at the interruption. He frowned and turned away from the blind man. The revelation then comes that makes clear one should not judge the importance of another on the basis of the person’s appearance or status. Further, one should never turn away form another sincerely seeking to know about Islam. It is important to understand this approach to interpretation of the Quran because it helps prevent people form reading verses out of context to fortify an already established position. By establishing deeper principles, Muslims could be more flexible in applying the principles in very different times and circumstances.