Principles Of Understanding Quran , Sunnah And Hadith
Assalamualikum! It is a basic requirement that in order to read any book, we need to have a basic understanding of that language. And the more deeper literature it contains, the deeper our understanding of that language should be. Since Quran was revealed approx. 1400 years ago, therefore if anyone is willing to understand Quran firsthand, it is imperative that that person needs to have an understanding of Arabic language of that time, specifically language of Quraysh of Mecca, since Quran is revealed in their language. With a time gap of 1400 years, a person needs to spend time in studying the specific linguistic phrases of that time and other linguistic differences between today’s Arabic language and that of 1400 years ago. What Ghamidi Sahab did was to caution the students of Quran about the precautionary measures that they need to take when approaching the language of Quran firsthand. Because there is a risk that one might ignore these differences in language and might stumble onto a big mistake while interpreting the language of Quran. Same is the case with Sunnah and Ahadith, as to what needs to be kept in mind according to his own experience of course, before delving into a vast jungle of narrations and humongous collection of fiqh. Call it a checklist to keep you from getting astray. Any other scholar has a right to disagree with his principles, but it would be better to present any alternative approach towards understanding these sources of religion. Ghamidi sb. is not unique in making these principles, our whole history of fiqh is filled with these attempts in order to better understand the religion. Whether it be Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi or Imam Ahmed Ibn-e-Hambal. Imam Shafi’s “Al-Risala” was the first ever book written on principles / usool of religion. Similarly, if we go outside of Fidh, all our Muhaddetheen (Muhaddeseen) were busy creating principles on how and when to accept any narration associated with Prophet Muhammad (sws). The list is endless indeed. I have tried to present a few instances from our history just so you know Ghamidi Sahab is not unique in this approach. They were all our respected scholars who spent their lifetimes in trying to understand these principles and making them easy for the public to understand. We hold them all in high regard.