3. Basic rules to be followed in the study of the Qur’an

3. Basic rules to be followed in the study of the Qur’an

Apart from the concepts behind crucial Arabic words, it is also necessary to follow a very important rule for the study of the Qur’an. This is given in the following sura:

(3:7) Allah has sent down this Book to you, (O Prophet!) which includes verses of two kinds. The first consists of those verses which have definite meaning (mohkamat) and constitute the foundation of Allah’s Laws. The second kind is allegorical (mutashabihat). But those in whose hearts is perversity, they follow the part of it which is allegorical, seeking to mislead and seeking to give it their own interpretation. But those well grounded in knowledge (ilm) say: “We believe in it, it is all from our Sustainer”, but only men of understanding really heed.1