Prof. Shouman: The Quran is the Greatest Constitution.. May Allah Protect it From Alteration or Misrepresentation
Prof. Mohammad Al-Gendy:
Interpreting the Quran According to “Visions” is a Poisonous Goal
Al-Azhar Mosque organized al-Azhar Forum for Contemporary Issues under the title: “The Status and Holiness of the Holy Quran”, with the participation of Prof. Abbas Shouman, Secretary-General of the Council of Senior Scholars and President of the World Organization for al-Azhar Graduates, and Prof. Mohammad al-Gendy, Secretary-General of the Islamic Research Academy. Notably, Prof. Abdul Moneim Fouad, General Supervisor of the Academic Activities at the Azhari Ruwaq at al-Azhar Mosque, led the dialog.
Moreover, Prof. Abbas Shouman, Secretary-General of the Council of Senior Scholars, stated that the Holy Quran is the greatest constitution, preserved by Allah Almighty from alteration and distortion. He further explained that Muslim scholars unanimously agree that it is the primary source of Islamic rulings, followed by the Sunnah of the Prophet, the consensus of Muslim scholars, and then analogy.
Additionally, during his speech at al-Azhar Forum for Contemporary Issues, the Secretary-General of the Council of Senior Scholars emphasized that Allah Almighty’s preservation of His Noble Book does not mean that attempts at distortion do not occur. Rather, such attempts are quickly identified and corrected. He pointed out that the one who discovers such distortion is not necessarily a scholar; it may even be a child or young person who has memorized Allah’s Book under the guidance of a reciter. He highlighted the role of a dedicated committee from the Islamic Research Academy, which carefully reviews and scrutinizes all printed copies of the Holy Quran to ensure their accurate and disciplined publication.
Prof. Shouman explained that the verses of the Holy Quran include the clear and fundamental, the comprehensive and detailed, and the general and specific, clarifying that the clear refers to what is unambiguous in meaning, while the fundamental includes elements such as the separate letters at the beginning of certain surahs. He pointed out that the verses related to jurisprudence do not fall under the category of fundamental verses; rather, they are clear and unambiguous. This does not mean that all such verses are clear in their indication; scholars may derive more than one ruling from them, which is referred to as “speculative in indication” (zanni al-dalala). There are also clear verses of obligation that indicate a single ruling, such as the verses prohibiting adultery. These verses have not been subject to differing interpretations regarding their significance.
Prof. Shouman stressed that the way is not open for any random person to take possession of interpreting the Holy Quran; however, whoever interprets Quran and its judgments must have an in-depth knowledge of the Quranic language, style, exegesis, Fiqh…etc. Indeed, dealing with the Holy Quran should take place with great respect and know-how, clarifying that the Quran was revealed to the most eloquent people on earth; the Arabs. In fact, despite, eloquently, mastering the Arabic language, Allah Almighty challenged the Arabs to write down something sublime like the Holy Quran, a challenge the Arabs failed to fulfill despite their desperate attempts.
In the same vein, Prof. Mohammad al-Gendi, the Secretary General of the Islamic Research Academy, stated that the Holy Quran acts as a guide for the hearts to take the righteous path of true faith. He explained that those “ill-minded” who flouted the Quran have led that Divine Book to lose its standing within themselves and those in contact with them.
Further, Prof. al-Gendi emphasized that the Prophet (PBUH) had warned against the loss of the prestige and standing of the Quran; indeed, the Prophet’s Companions used to shrivel upon hearing the Quranic verses. He added that scholars and al-Salaf al-Salih have warned against singing or chanting the Holy Quran; Allah Almighty has revealed such noble Book as a guide to all mankind, and as clear proofs of guidance and judgment, demanding Muslims to understand and contemplate the Quranic lessons and disciplines.
Additionally, Prof. al-Gendi pointed out that some intellects sought to coin certain “views” on the Holy Quran and created the so-called “writer’s point of view”, even though those are not even into exegesis and the methods of interpreting the Quran. He clarified that such a scheme is a means to reach a toxic end which is to make the Holy Quran lose its standing and sublimity. This will, consequently, lead to dismantling and overturning the judgments of the Quran, subsequently leading to the spread of dishonesty and indecency. In the same context, Prof. al-Gendi highlighted that others have followed several methodologies to turn people’s hearts against the Quran, by using baseless techniques and interpretations, leading to the absence of understanding of the text and its tools in a righteous manner.
It is worth mentioning that “Al-Azhar Forum for Contemporary Issues” is convened every Tuesday at al-Azhar Mosque, under the auspices of His Eminence Prof. Ahmad at-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of al-Azhar and the directions of Prof. Mohammad ad-Duwaini, Deputy of al-Azhar. The forum used to be titled “Suspicions and Answers”, then changed the current title after the success it attained during the holy month of Ramadan. The Forum tackled every issue that concerns the society, homeland, the Arab and Islamic worlds.
