Can We Interpret Quranic Verses Based on Personal Understanding?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
Can we interpret general Quranic verses ourselves if our interpretation aligns with the Shari‘a? For example, is it valid to understand the verse about Maryam (peace be upon her) receiving the angel in a beautiful form as a contrast to the story of the wife of ‘Aziz who was tempted by Yusuf (peace be upon him)?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.
Imam Qurtubi outlines two situations where interpretation becomes impermissible. The first situation occurs when someone has already formed an opinion on a matter and then interprets the Quran to align with that preconceived belief. The second situation arises when a person explains the Quran solely based on the literal meanings of the Arabic words without exploring the nuances of the language or consulting other sources.
These scenarios outline when personal opinions on the Quran are not allowed.
Correct Way of Interpretation of the Quran
Scholars who are well versed in the various sciences of Islam and take the sciences as well as the opinions of scholars into consideration, then it will be permissible for them to give an opinion on the meaning. [Qurtubi, Tafsir al-Qurtubi]
Contrast of Two Stories
Yes, it is a valid and insightful way to understand the contrast between the two stories. In the Quran, Maryam (peace be upon her) encounters the angel Jibril (Gabriel) in the form of a handsome man:
“She secluded herself from them, and We sent to her Our Spirit, who appeared to her as a well-proportioned man.” [Quran, 19:17]
Her immediate reaction was one of chastity and seeking refuge in Allah, showing her piety and moral strength:
“She said: ‘Indeed, I seek refuge in the Most Merciful from you if you should be righteous.’” [Quran, 19:18]
This can be contrasted with the story of the wife of ‘Aziz in Surat Yusuf, who was tempted by the beauty of Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him):
“And she, in whose house he was, sought to seduce him. She closed the doors and said, ‘Come to me!’ He said, ‘I seek refuge in Allah!’” [Quran, 12:23]
The contrast highlights different responses to physical attraction:
- Maryam (peace be upon her), despite seeing a handsome figure, immediately turns to Allah for protection.
- The wife of ‘Aziz, seeing Yusuf (peace be upon him), succumbs to her desires and tries to seduce him.
This contrast reinforces the Quranic themes of chastity, righteousness, and seeking Allah’s refuge in moments of trial. It also elevates Maryam’s status as a role model of purity. Many scholars and commentators have noted this contrast as part of the Quran’s moral and narrative depth.
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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
