QURAN IS NOT ONLY TO RECITE BUT TO UNDERSTAND AND COMPLY:

Two people reading the same text, or looking at the same object, can often come to different
conclusions. Some of these differences are legitimate while others are not. Let us understand.

FACULTIES OF MANKIND:
Sajda-32:9. “ But He fashioned him in due proportion, and breathed into him something of His
spirit. And He gave you (the faculties of) hearing and sight and feeling (and understanding):
little thanks do ye give!” [Yusuf Ali]

HOW TO UNDERSTAND QURAN:

Below are general criteria Muslim scholars have set to properly understand the Qur’ān:

Step-(1).Look for Content and Context of the Quranic Verse:

Content means: the topic or matter treated in a written work.
Each and every word in a sentence or compound sentence has meaning and significance. Conjunction word in a
compound sentence carries greater significance. See para-(iii)
The word ‘context’ has two meanings in Cambridge dictionary:
The parts of a written or spoken statement that precede or follow a specific word or passage,
usually influencing its meaning or effect. (2). The set of circumstances or facts that surround a
particular event, situation, etc.
Any discussion on Qur’anic verses would be meaningless, without a study of the surrounding
context.
Each verse must be understood in light of the Qur’ān itself.  If a verse is interpreted in a
particular way, it should be in conformity with other affirmative evidence provided by other
verses of the Holy Quran. If this evidence is absent or if the interpretation clearly contradicts
other Qur’ānic verses, then this understanding of the verse is incorrect because it is not possible
for the Qur’ān to contradict itself. For instance, there is a verse in the Qur’ān that says: Woe to
those who pray (Maun- 107:4). By itself, one might think that God is criticizing those who pray.
However, the context of this verse is that it is criticizing those who pray are heedless and lazy
concerning their prayer. This is indicated by the following verse: Those who are heedless of their
prayer (Maun- 107:5).

Step-(2). Look for Historical Background and Time Period of the Verse:
The Quran was revealed over a period of 23 years. And it was revealed to a people who faced
real life challenges to which the Quran gave answers in real time.
To fully understand the Quran, we have to understand under what circumstances verses were
revealed. Certain verses might sound weird if we don’t know what is going on in the context (as
per Cambridge dictionary meaning number-2.) of the real time revelation.
For example, the verse that includes the statement (kill them wherever you find them) sounds
weird and very aggressive to us in our modern situation where we do not go
around killing people who have a different faith from us. This segment of the verse is jarring
because it is taken out of both historical background and situation.
The above verse was revealed after the Muslims were tortured by, fought against, and then
signed a peace treaty with the pagan (idolators) Arabs. Then after all of that, the pagans broke
the treaty. And Allah revealed these verses:
Fight in the way of God those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. God does not
like transgressors. And kill them [pagan Arabs] wherever you find them and expel them
from wherever they have expelled you, and persecution is worse than killing. (Baqra-2:190-
191)
This background makes a huge difference to understanding.

Step-(3). Understand Logical Connective- “AND” used in Quran.

Conjunction Word: And:
In logic, a conjunction is a compound sentence formed by using the word and to join two
simple sentences. When two simple sentences, p and q, are joined in a conjunction statement, the
conjunction is expressed symbolically as p Λ q.
Definition: A conjunction is a compound statement formed by joining two statements with the
connector AND. The conjunction "p and q" is symbolized by p q. A conjunction (compound
sentence) is true when both of its combined parts are true; otherwise it is false.
Now that we have defined a conjunction, we can apply it to Example 1. The conjunction p q is
true when both "Ann is on the softball team" and "Paul is on the football team" are true
statements; otherwise it is false.
Another example might be the statement "2< 6 and 3< 6", which is true, since both statements
"2<6" and "3<6" are true. The statement "2<6 and 3>6" is not true since one statement "3>6" is
false.
Muddassir-74:40-47. “ (They will be) in Gardens (of Delight); they will question each other.
And (ask) of the Sinners. "What led you into Hell-Fire?" They will say: (i)."We were not of those
who prayed, (ii) and neither (nor) were we of those who fed the indigent. (iii)And (But) we used
to talk vanities (falsehood, producing no result; useless.) with vain talkers; (iv)"And we used to
deny the Day of Judgment; Until there came to us (the Hour) that is certain."
Here, there are four components or parts. All four components should be true for the truth of
the compound sentence. In other words, the cause of sinners in Hell-Fire is NOT a single
component but all four components (i) to Iiv).

Step-(4): WHY QURAN?

Ibrahim-14:1. “A Book which We have revealed unto thee in order that thou mightest lead mankind out
of the depths of darkness into light by the leave of their Lord to the Way of (Him) Exalted in Power
Worthy of all Praise!”

Surah Yunus-10: Ayat-57-58. "O mankind! There hath come to you a direction from your Lord
and a Healing for the (diseases) in your hearts and a Guidance and Mercy for those who
believe (in Him). Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “In Allah’s grace and mercy let them rejoice. That is far
better than whatever ˹wealth˺ they amass."

Step-(5): CMMAND/ ORDER OF ALLAH TO UNDERSTAND QURAN:

The dictionary meaning of “Understand” is: to grasp the meaning of; to be thoroughly familiar
with the character and propensities of; to know the meaning of something that someone says;
to know why or how something happens or works;  to know how someone feels or why
someone behaves in a particular way;
Meaning of Knowledge is:
understanding of or information about a subject that you get by experience or study,
either known by one person or by people generally; awareness, understanding,
or information that has been obtained by experience or study, and that is either in a
person’s mind or possessed by people generally; the state of knowing about or
being familiar with something.
Baqra-2:44. “Do you preach righteousness and fail to practice it yourselves, although you read
the Scripture? Do you not understand?” — Khattab
Saaf-61:2-3. “O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do?” Greatly hateful in
the sight of Allāh is that you say what you do not do.” — Saheeh International

Baqra-2:10. “In their hearts is disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a
painful punishment because they [habitually] used to lie.    [Saheeh International]

Baqra-2:242. “Thus Allah makes clear His Ayat (Laws) to you, in order that you may
understand (reason).”

Explanation by Ibn Kathir: Thus Allah makes clear His Ayat (Laws) to you,) meaning, what He
allows, forbids, requires, His set limits, His commandments and His prohibitions are all
explained and made plain and clear for you. He did not leave any matter in general terms if you
needed the specifics, (in order that you may understand.) meaning, understand and comprehend.
Fussilat-41:3. “A Book, whereof the verses are explained in detail;- a Qur'an in Arabic, for
people who understand.”

Qamar-54:17. “And We have indeed made the Qur'an easy to understand and remember: then
is there any that will receive admonition?  [Yusuf Ali] (al-Qamar, 54/17, 22, 32, 40).
Explanation by Yusuf Ali: Note - 5143
While the Qur-an sums up the highest philosophy of the inner life, its simple directions for
conduct are plain and easy to understand and act upon. Is this not in itself a part of the Grace
of Allah? And what excuse is there for any one to fail in receiving admonition?
Zukhrif:43:3. “Verily, We have made Qur'an in Arabic, that you may be able to understand.”

Anbiya-21:10. “We have revealed for you (O men!) a book in which is a Message for you: will
ye not then understand?” [Yusuf Ali]

Mohammad-47:24. “ Do they not then earnestly seek to understand the Qur'an, or are their
hearts locked up by them?

Step-(6): QURAN IS TO PONDER:

The Quran was not revealed only to be read and memorized, but the bigger and greater reason is
for it to be pondered upon (tadabbur), understood, appreciated, and then applied in life. The
goal of the Quran is to help shape human beings into righteous individuals.
Saad-38:29. “(Here is) a Book which We have sent down unto thee full of blessings that they
may meditate (ponder) on its Signs and that men of understanding may receive admonition
(lesson).”[Translation by Yusuf Ali]

Mominun-23:68. “Do they not ponder over the Word (of Allah), or has anything (new) come to
them that did not come to their fathers of old?”

Explanation by Yusuf Ali: Note - 2918

If they ponder over the matter, they will find that Allah's Message to humanity is as old as
Adam. It is good for all ages. It never grows old, and it is never new.

Step-(7). QURAN IS TO ACT AND OBEY:

Nisa-4:59. "Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and those with authority among you."

Anaam-6:155. “And this is a Book which We have revealed as a blessing: so follow it and be
righteous (waittaqoo, ward of evils, fear Allah) that ye may receive mercy:”

Araf-7:3. “Follow (O men!) the revelation given unto you from your Lord and follow not as friends or
protectors other than Him. Little it is ye remember of admonition.”

PUNISHMENT FOR NOT UNDERSTANDING QURAN:

Room-30-:59. “Thus does Allah seal up the hearts of those who understand not.

Araaf: 7: 179. “ And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They
have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and
they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock (cattle); rather, they are
more astray.1 It is they who are the heedless.” — Saheeh International.
Footnote: The reference is to their inability (i.e., refusal) to think and reason, while blindly
following (as they are accustomed).
BUT QURAN IS FORESAKEN BY SOMEONE:
Messenger of Allah complains about in verse 30 of the chapter of al-Furqan: 
Furqan-25:30. “And the Messenger has said, "O my Lord, indeed my people have taken this
Qur'an as [a thing] abandoned. And thus have We made for every prophet an enemy from
among the criminals. But sufficient is your Lord as a guide and a helper.” — Saheeh
International
Footnote: i.e., avoiding it, not listening to or understanding it, not living by it, or preferring
something else to it.

Compiled By:
Md. Shoaib Khan. Rtd. IPS.
‘’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’