LEARNING DEEN WITH THE 'ULAMA

We learn to sew from a tailor and to cut hair from a professional hairdresser. In the same way, we must acquire ‘Ilm-e-Deen from those who specialize in this field—that is to say, the ‘Ulama. It is not sufficient to simply know the Arabic language to understand the Qur'an-e-Karim. We have already seen that the Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahuanhum) were initially unable to accurately understand verse 82 of SurahAl-An’am (6:82), which caused them distress. The confusion arose over the word "Zulm," despite the fact that the Sahabah (Radiyallahuanhum) were Arabs and Arabic was their mother tongue.

The task of interpreting the Qur'an rested upon the Prophet (Sallallaahu'Alaihi Wasallam). After Rasulullah (Sallallaahu'Alaihi Wasallam), this responsibility falls upon the ‘Ulama, who are the heirs of the Prophet (Sallallaahu'AlaihiWasallam). It is their duty to explain and interpret it correctly. We must seek knowledge through the proper channel; otherwise, confusion and misinterpretation are inevitable.

To Ponder…

[English version of "Apprendre le Deen avec les 'Ulama" – Al Haadi – Vol. 3 No. 3]