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Qur'an: Verses
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Although the Qur'an is Islam's oldest text, Muslim modernists believe that it holds the key to rejuvenating their religion. Pakistani philosopher and educator Fazlur Rahman (1919–1988) rejected literal and traditional interpretations of the Qur'an, arguing that they limited the applicability of the message to the time and place in which the revelation occurred. By understanding the spirit of the Qur'an, Rahman argued, Muslims can apply the text to modern circumstances. He believed that Muslims should study the historical context of each verse in order to find its true essence. Equipped with an understanding of their contemporary circumstances, they could apply the principles derived from the text to their own time. Rahman was convinced that an adequate understanding of Qur'anic teachings would enable believers to overcome the problems of the modern Muslim world.
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A Qur'an translation is a difficult book to just sit down and read cover to cover. Themes and stories are carried from chapter to chapter, and each verse was revealed in scriptural and historical context. These books will help aid in your understanding of the Qur'anic text.
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These traditions are the best proof that the Qur'an, like speech or writing in general, has meaning and will always have meaning, even when studied independently of the traditions. Thus it is the duty of the commentators to take into account and reflect upon the traditions of the Prophet and Imams concerning Qur'anic verses but only use those traditions which are in accordance with the verse under scrutiny.
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In one of the most popular English versions of the Qur'an, Ahmed Ali has succeeded in bringing all of the subtlety, depth, and spiritual power of Islam into his translation of this peerless scripture. Without distorting the English, Ali, a highly regarded author in his own right, renders the poetry of the original Arabic into lines of elegance and rhythm. And not wanting to leave the reader with a false belief in the ability of one language to fully capture another, Ali retains the Arabic side by side with the English, exhorts the reader to refer to it, and offers explanatory notes where necessary. For the curious, the convert, or the devout, Ahmed Ali's Al-Qur'an will bring all readers closer to the glory of God. --Brian Bruya
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This is why, as Abdel Haleem points out in the introduction, you cannot lift a single verse out of context and use it to argue a point or to show what the Qur'an has to say about something. To illustrate the point, he refers to the oft-quoted verse "Slay them wherever you find them" (2:191). This was taken out of context by Dawood, Haleem argues, and ... used to justify the claim that the Qur'an sanctions violence against non-Muslims; and, after 9/11, to rationalise the actions of extremists. In fact, the only situation in which the Qur'an sanctions violence is in self-defence. This particular verse has a context: the Muslims, performing pilgrimage in the sacred precinct in Mecca, were under attack and did not know whether they were permitted to retaliate. The verse permits them to fight back on this - but not necessarily any other - occasion.
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Bearing in mind that the Qur'an is valid for all times, the verses revealed in special circumstances informing Muslims of their specific duties are ... valid for those who, in future, experience the same circumstances. Similarly, those verses which praise or reproach certain qualities, and promise reward or threaten punishment accordingly, are applicable to all ages and places. Thus the meaning of a verse is not limited to the circumstances or the times of its revelation.
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