The Impact of the Arabic Language on Interpretation if not Aligned by the Qur’an and Sunnah

Abstract

This study clarifies that the Arabic language is a source of interpretation and that it is indispensable. It then explains that despite its importance, it cannot be relied upon to interpret many verses of the Quran unless it is aligned with the Quran and Sunnah. Language is a vast field through which words can be interpreted in numerous ways, and many examples are provided. Furthermore, the study demonstrates how those who promote innovation in religion exploit the Arabic language to achieve their aims and distort the meaning of texts by interpreting verses of the Holy Quran to suit their desires. The study objective is to warn against certain deficient grammatical rules when they contradict the Quran and Sunnah. The study problem highlights two inquiries: can language contradict the Quran and Sunnah in the interpretation of some verses? And what is our stance on language when it contradicts the Quran and Sunnah? The study findings reveal many results: First, any interpretation of verses that contradicts the Quran, Sunnah, and the sayings of the Islamic Companions and the righteous predecessors must be avoided. Second: When interpreting the Holy Quran using Arabic, we have a strong need to adhere to the Quran, the Sunnah, and the narrations from the Islamic Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) who lived during the time of revelation. Third: Not everything permissible in Arabic is permissible for interpreting the Quran. Fourth: There is no text in the Quran composed of foreign words that convey a meaning solely from that combination. Fifth: Islamic Scholars unanimously agree that the Quran contains foreign proper nouns, such as Lot, Noah, Israel, and Gabriel. Sixth: No one is permitted to twist the meaning of Quranic texts and legal evidence to serve their own beliefs; rather, they must be followed, not imposed upon them.