Sayings of the Salaf » tafsir

How the Salaf studied the Quran

Abû ‘Abdillâh Owais Al-Hâshimi — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:39:29 +0000

Abdullâh b. Mas’ûd – Allâh be pleased with him – said:

When a man amongst us learned ten verses [of the Quran], he would not move on [to the next verses] until he had understood their meanings and how to act by them.

Al-Tabarî, Al-Tafsîr 1:80. Shaykh Ahmad Shâkir graded its chain of transmission sahîh.

Abû ‘Abd Al-Rahmân Al-Sulamî said:

Those who used to teach us the Quran (the Companions) told us that they used to learn the Quran from the Prophet – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him; when they had learnt ten verses they would not move on until they put into practice what was in them. So we learnt knowledge and deeds (implementation) together.

Ibid. Shaykh Ahmad Shâkir graded its chain of transmission sahîh also.

Wasted Devotion

Abû ‘Abdillâh Owais Al-Hâshimi — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:25:47 +0000

It is reported that a group of heretics (People of Bid’ah) and their devout worship was mentioned to ‘Abd Al-Rahmân b. Mahdî. He said, “Allâh only accepts what conforms to what has been commanded and what is in the Sunnah.” Then he recited, And a monasticism which they (Christians) innovated, We did not ordain it upon them [Al-Hadîd: 27]. He went on to say, “So Allâh did not accept this from them and reprimanded them for it.” He then said, “Stick to the way and the Sunnah.”

Abû Nu’aym, Hilyah Al-Awliyâ` Vol.4 p44.

The Sunnah is Wisdom

Abû ‘Abdillâh Owais Al-Hâshimi — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:50:00 +0000

Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own, who shall recite unto them Your verses and instruct them in the Book (this Qur`ân) and Al-Hikmah (wisdom) and sanctify them. Verily! You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” [Al-Baqarah 2:129]

And remember (O members of the Prophet’s family) that which is recited in your houses of the Verses of Allâh and Al-Hikmah. [Al-Ahzab 33:34]

It is reported that Al-Hasan Al-Basrî – Allâh have mercy on him said, “Al-Kitâb is the Qur`ân, and Al-Hikmah is the Sunnah.”

It is also reported that Qatâdah – Allâh have mercy on him said, “And [he will] teach them The Book and Al-Hikmah, i.e. the Sunnah.”

Al-Lâlakâ`î, Sharh Usûl I’tiqâd Ahl Al-Sunnah wa Al-Jamâ’ah Vol.1 p86, 87; Ibn Battah, Al-Ibânah Al-Kubrâ Vol.1 p98; and Al-Tabarî in his Tafsîr.

Shaykh Al-Islâm Ibn Taymîyah said (Majmû’ Al-Fatâwâ Vol.3 p366), “A number of the Salaf said that Al-Hikmah refers to the Sunnah, because that which was recited in the houses of [the Prophet’s] wives – Allâh be pleased with them – apart from the Qur`ân was his Sunnah – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him.”

True Repentance

Abû ‘Abdillâh Owais Al-Hâshimi — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:21:00 +0000

O Believers! Repent to Allâh truly and sincerely [Al-Tahrîm (66): 8]

In explanation of this verse, Al-Tabarî reports the following narrations in his Tafsîr:

He reports that ‘Umar b. Al-Khattâb – Allâh be pleased with him – was asked about true repentance. He replied, “It is that a man repents from an evil deed, and never does it again.” He also reports that ‘Umar said, “It is that you repent from the sin and never do it again, or never intend to do it again.”

Similarly, he reports from ‘Abdullâh (Ibn ‘Abbâs) – Allâh be pleased with him – that he said, “A person repents, and then never goes back to the sin.”, and “It means that a person never returns to the sin from which he repented.”

Mujâhid is quoted as saying, “They seek Allâh’s forgiveness and then never go back to sin.”

Qatâdah is quoted as saying, “It is the true and sincere repentance.”

Al-Tabarî, Tafsîr Al-Tabarî, in the commentary on Sûrah Al-Tahrîm.

Moderates who become Extremists

Abû ‘Abdillâh Owais Al-Hâshimi — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:29:00 +0000

O People of Scripture! Do not be extreme in your religion! [Al-Mâ`idah (5): 77]

It is reported from Qatâdah – Allâh have mercy on him – that he said, commenting on this verse, “Meaning: do not innovate in religion and do not sit with a religious innovator (mubtadi’).”

Ibn Battah, Al-Ibânah Al-Kubrâ Vol.1 p394.