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Does the Quran
contain the details of everything? |
The Arabic word 'fasala'
means 'he separated, divided or put apart (a thing from
another thing)'. 'fasl(un)' means 'a separation,
division, or partition (between two things)' or
'distinguishing between what is true and what is false'. 'fasl-al-khitaab'
means 'distinct or plain speech; which to whom it is
addressed plainly or distinctly, understands; which is not
confused or dubious; such as decides, or distinguishes
between what is right and what is wrong, and what is true
and what is false, and what is sound and what is corrupt,
what is correct and what is erroneous'. 'tafseel'
means 'explaining distinctly'. It does not mean 'giving
DETAILS'. 'mufassal' does not mean 'detailed' but it
means 'distinct'.
The Quran mentions
that it is alkitaba mufassalan. It does
not mean that the Quran contains details of everything but
it means that it is the book which states everything in it
distinctly and clearly. Most of the translators of the Quran
have made error in translating the word 'mufassal' as
'detailed' rather than 'distinct and clear'. Muhammad Asad,
G. A. Parvez and Shakir Ali are among those who have
translated this particular word correctly in their
renditions.
Apart from the few
of the commandments, the Quran has dispensed with the
details of many of the Laws enshrined therein and has only
given the principles. The first ever details were decided by
the Messenger [p.b.u.h] in consultation with his companions,
according to the circumstances of his time. Later on, the
successors of the Messenger [p.b.u.h], such as Umar [r.a.]
made necessary changes in these details for the changing
circumstances during his caliphate, staying within the
parameters and principles given in the Quran.
Some of the verses
of the Quran about the 'tafseel' and the related
words are given as follows [translations are by Muhammad
Asad]
[say thou:] "Am I,
then, to look unto anyone but God for judgment [as to what
is right and wrong], when it is He who has bestowed upon you
from on high this divine writ, clearly spelling out the
truth?"' And those unto whom We have vouchsafed revelation
aforetime know that this one, too, has been bestowed from on
high, step by step, by thy Sustainer. Be not, then, among
the doubters- [6:114]
for, indeed, We
did convey unto them a divine writ which We clearly, and
wisely, spelled out - a guidance and a grace unto people who
will believe."[7:52]
Now this Qur'an
could not possibly have been devised by anyone save God: nay
indeed, it confirms the truth of whatever there still
remains [of earlier revelations] and clearly spells out the
revelation [which comes] -let there be no doubt about
it-from the Sustainer of all the worlds.
[10:37]
Alif. Lam. Ra. A
DIVINE WRIT [is this], with messages that have been made
clear in and by themselves, and have been distinctly spelled
out as well- [bestowed upon you] out of the grace of One who
is wise, all-aware,
[11:1]
Indeed, in the
stories of these men there is a lesson for those who are
endowed with insight.[As for this revelation, it could not
possibly be a discourse invented [by man]: nay indeed,
it is [a divine writ] confirming the truth of whatever there
still remains [of earlier revelations], clearly spelling out
everything, and [offering] guidance and grace unto people
who will believe. [12:111]
And We have
established the night and the day as two symbols; and
thereupon We have effaced the symbol of night and set up [in
its place] the light-giving symbol of day, so that you might
seek to obtain your Sustainer's bounty and be aware of the
passing years and of the reckoning [that is bound to come].
For clearly, most clearly, have We spelt out everything!.
(kulla shay-in fassalnahutafseelan)" [17:12]
And thus clearly
do We spell out Our messages: and [We do it] so that the
path of those who are lost in sin might be distinct [from
that of the righteous].[6:55]
And He it is who
has set up for you the stars so that you might be guided by
them in the midst of the deep darkness of land and sea:
clearly, indeed, have We spelled out these messages unto
people of [innate] knowledge! [6:97]
And He it is who
has brought you [all] into being out of one living entity,
and [has appointed for each of you] a time-limit [on earth]
and a resting place [after death]: clearly, indeed,
have We spelled out these messages unto people who can grasp
the truth! [6:98]
And undeviating is
this thy Sustainer's way. Clearly, indeed, have We spelled
out these messages unto people who [are willing to] take
them to heart!
[6:126]
Say: "Who is there
to forbid the beauty which God has brought forth for His
creatures, and the good things from among the means of
sustenance? "Say: "They are [lawful] in the life of this
world unto all who have attained to faith - to be theirs
alone on Resurrection Day." Thus clearly do We spell out
these messages unto people of [innate] knowledge! [7:32]
And thus clearly
do We spell out these messages; and [We do it] so that they
[who have sinned] might return [unto Us]." [7:174]
Yet if they
repent, and take to prayer, and render the purifying dues,
they become your brethren in faith: and clearly do We spell
out these messages unto people of [innate] knowledge! [9:11]
The parable of the
life of this world is but that of rain which We send down
from the sky, and which is absorbed by the plants of the
earth whereof men and animals draw nourishment, until
-when the earth has assumed its artful adornment and has
been embellished, and they who dwell on it believe that they
have gained mastery over it -there comes down upon it Our
judgment, by night or by day, and We cause it to become
[like] a field mown down, as if there had been no yesterday.
Thus clearly do We spell out these messages unto people who
think! [10:24]
He gives you an
example from your own society. Would you agree to make your
employees equal partners in the provision We have bestowed
upon you? Are you as mindful of them as you are mindful of
yourselves? (So do you conceive of a ‘discriminating’ God!)
Thus do We explain Our Messages for people who use their
intellect. [30:28]
28/01/2006 |