Methodology for Study of The Qu'ran

by Imran N. Hosein

Methodology for the Study of Dajjāl in the Qur’ān was meant to be included as a chapter of my book on Dajjāl. However I realized that it was too long to function as a chapter, and hence I had to remove the material that was specific to Dajjāl, and then publish it as a separate book altogether. I have no regrets in doing so since it was my desire that this be my last effort at teaching basic methodology for the study of the Qur’ān. I have done no more than offer an introduction to that methodology. Those who wish to do so, can search for books which teach the subject comprehensively.

The ‘Introduction’ to the religious thought of the distinguished Islamic scholar, Maulānā Dr. Muhammad Fazlur Rahmān Ansārī (1914-1974) contains important information and analysis on methodology which complement the text of this book. Readers are advised to read that ‘Introduction’ to his religious thought in order to enhance their understanding of the subject of this book. It is located in Appendix 1 of the book. Indeed most of what is explained in the text itself on methodology has come from him, and it is he who should have written this book. I wish I had an introductory book such as this to study when I was his student just beginning my study of Tafsīr al- Qur’ān. Had he written it, I have no doubt that it would have spurred me on to a faster and more productive effort of study of the Holy Qur’ān.

Allah Most High declared that He sent down the Qur’ān in the Arabic language in order that it might provoke a people to think (Qur’ān, Yūsuf, 12:2), and hence to study the Book with the rational faculty. Most translators of the Qur’ān admit that it cannot be translated to another language. (See Muhammad Asad’s essay entitled: Can the Qur’ān be translated? Published by the Centre Islamique, Geneva. 1964) Rather, the most that can be achieved in a translation is an approximate rendering of the meaning of the miraculous Arabic text. For this reason we always quote in this book, the actual Arabic text of the Qur’ān which has been preserved unaltered for close to fifteen hundred years, and having done so, we then offer an explanatory translation with our explanatory comments (always carefully enclosed in brackets). We have done so in order to facilitate the proper study of the Qur’ān.

Genres: Islam

Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

About the author

He was born in the Caribbean island of Trinidad in 1942 from parents whose ancestors had migrated as indentured labourer from India. He is a graduate of the Aleemiyah Institute in Karachi and has studied at sevaral instutions of higher learning including the University of Karachi,the University of the West Indies, Al Azhar University and the Graduate Institute of International Relations in Switzerland

He worked for several years as a Foreign Service Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago but gave up his job in 1985 to devote his life to the mission of Islam.

He lived in New York for ten years during which time he served as the Director of Islamic Studies for the Joint Committee of Muslim Organizations of Greater New York. He lectured on Islam in several American and Canadian universities, colleges, churches, synagogues, prisons, community halls, etc. He also participated in many inter-faith dialogues with Christian and Jewish scholars while representing Islam in USA. He was the Imam, for sometime, at Masjid Dar al-Qur'an in Long Island, New York. He also led the weekly Juma'ah prayers and delivered the sermon at the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan once a month for ten years continuously.

He is a former Principal of the Aleemiyah Institute of Islamic Studies in Karachi, Pakistan, Director of Research of the World Muslim Congress in Karachi, Pakistan, Director of the Islamic Institute for Education and Research in Miami, Florida, and Director of D'awah for Tanzeem-e-Islami of North America.

He has traveled continuously and extensively around the world on Islamic lecture-tours since graduating from the Aleemiyah Institute of Islamic Studies in 1971 at age 29. And he has also written more than a dozen books on Islam that have invariably been received with public respect. Indeed, 'Jerusalem in the Qur'an - An Islamic View of the Destiny of Jerusalem' has become a best seller and has been translated and published in several languages

Reviews

[Ibrahiem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although not found anywhere in the majority of scholars, Imran Hosein's methodology of the study of The Quran speaks for itself when implemented. I have never come across anyone else who speaks of The Quran the way Hosein does. His love of the book is crystal clear from his writings, and he wishes to impart this love of the book to those who wish to seek it.

[Neida · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the malay version translated by Md Fitri.

Selain dr menerangkan serba sedikit ttg kaedah pengajian al-quran, penulis juga glorifies bekas gurunya dahulu. Sebab itu buku ini juga tajuk kecilnya Siri Peringatan Ansari.
Maybe saya silap tapi kebanyakan isi buku ini sepertinya agak tersasar dr tajuk utama. Sebab tajuk nya adalah Kaedah Pengajian Al -Quran jdi saya sangka buku ini akan lebih sarat dengan metod, cara khusus, spesifik kepada Pengajian Al Quran.
Banyak mengulang ttg agenda/ propaganda Barat Yahudi-Kristian dan yg sepertinya. Banyak juga kisah sejarah, sirah ttg wahyu Al-Quran diturunkan, kesahihan keaslian dan kejituan Al-Quran etc.
Wallahualam

[Sundus]

I would like to not rate this book for the fact that being a humble student of Quran, I disagree with Sheikh Imran's view on multiple places where he has given his interpretation of some of the verses of the Quran along with signs of the end of times.

Nonetheless, I acknowledge his role in Islamic scholarship and for any student who aspires to learn and research matters into the Quran, such a student should read this book and take whatever Khair he/she may and proceed with one's pursuit of sacred knowledge.

[Seemy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the rare and few scholars of Islam present in the world today whom I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and learning from at one of his touring workshops - and also believe he has the credentials, years of experience and dedication to discuss topics many scholars in the Muslim world are failing to address ( or even qualified) with a matter of urgency that they require - unlike others unfortunately ( which in itself is a sign of the end times).

By his own admission this book is by no means complete but should serve as a highly effective introduction on how to study the Quran the right way with compelling intellectual arguments as to why - regardless what your faith Muslim, Christian, Jew or anything else this author has a beautiful way of getting the true religion of Islam out to the world unlike others in authority who have turned their back to it or hijacked it for their own evil intentions and non-Islamic beliefs which has the world painting this religion synonymous with terror ( which would be the equivalent of blaming every Christian for the nazi movement )

- but the evil of hitler nor the evil of so called “Islamic jihadis” have anything to do with Gods word whether it be in the Quran or Bible. May God bless this Sheikh and give him the strength and backbone he continues to show, to do good and unite every defendant of our forefather Adam (A.S) regardless your race/religion against oppression and evil which is evidently in abundance around the world. Ameen

To Our Continued Success!
Seemy
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[Ummu Hafizah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different opinions of Islamic scholar on topic of AlQuran interpretation, interesting!