The mobile Qur'an

Someone asked Hazrat Aisha (Radiyyallahu Anha) about the habits and the character of Nabi (Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam)‎. Hazrat Aisha (Radiyyallahu Anha) replied that the character of Nabi (Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam) was the Qur'aan-e-Karim. That is, Qur'aan-e-Karim, which we have in written book form, is the Qur'aan in theory. As for the Qur'aan in practice, it was Nabi (Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam)‎. The practice of our Nabi (Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam) is called the Sunnah. The Sunnah guarantees the correct and authentic interpretation of the Qur'aan-e-Karim in practice. It is for this purpose that Allah Ta'aala sent our beloved Nabi ‎(Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam).

"... (We sent them) ‘Az-Zikr’ (Qur’aan-e-Kareem), so that you may explain to the people what has been revealed to them..." (S 16: V 44)

Nabi (Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam) has lived for a short time but his Ummah will continue to come till Qiyaamah. The Ummah who came after the demise of Nabi (Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam), also need the explanations given by Nabi ‎(Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam)‎ about the Qur'aan-e-Karim. Therefore, these explanations must be preserved continuously till Qiyaamah in order to be able to practice on the Qur'aan-e-Karim. The explanations given by Nabi (Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam)‎ through his words, practices and approvals have been preserved by the Ummah through generations. The task and the responsibility of this preservation are ensured by a group which is known as the "Muhadditheen" (the scholars of Hadith).

The work done by the Muhadditheen enabled the Ummah to gain the explanation of Qur'aan-e-Karim in the form of the Sunnah of Nabi ‎(Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam). This indicates that the Sunnah of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) always went along simultaneously with the Qur'aan-e-Karim and this helped the Ummah to practice the Deen‎ properly.

The Qur'aan-e-Karim commands us to do Salaah without mentioning the number of Rak'aat or the number of Salaah to be performed. Likewise, it commands us to give Zakaat without giving any detail. Similarly, it commands us to do Hajj without mentioning the time or the method of doing it.

These details are obtained in the Sunnah of Nabi (Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam). Allah Ta'aala has given us a perfect Deen that must be practised in its complete form. This will be achieved only through the understanding and application of the Qur'aan-e-Karim in the light of the Sunnah of Nabi (Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam).

Allah Ta'aala has formed a group who dedicated themselves fully to interpret and explain the Sunnah of Nabi (Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam). This group is known as the "Fuqahaa" (jurists).

The Muhadditheen strived to present the Sunnah of Nabi (Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam) in its authentic form and the Fuqahaa strived to ensure the proper application of the Sunnah. We must follow the research of the Muhadditheen and the Fuqahaa to be able to practice the Deen‎ in its real form. 

Rejecting the research of the Fuqahaa leads to the misunderstanding of the Sunnah that consequently leads to the incorrect application of the Deen‎ and sometimes, it leads to total anarchy that makes us have the audacity to refuse acceptance of many things in the religion which are nevertheless established by solid and authentic proofs. 

This (rejecting the research of the Fuqahaa) is what makes us interpret the Sunnah on our own and make us claim that apostasy is not an offense that deserves execution, and yet this has always been accepted by the Ummah. This is what leads us to say that soft music is permissible. We reach a stage where we do not hesitate to reject something that is recognised by the majority, based on isolated opinions. Moreover, having turned our backs on the Sunnah of Nabi (Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam), we look for a way to interpret the Qur'aan in our own way. No one can understand, interpret and apply the Qur'aan better than Nabi (Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam). This is a way of making Qur'aan inapplicable or unserviceable.

• We learned about Allah Ta'aala through Rasulullah ‎(Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam)‎.
• We learned about the Qur'aan-e-Karim through Rasulullah ‎(Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam)‎.
• We learned the Deen‎ through Rasulullah ‎(Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam)‎.
• We learned about Imaan through Rasuloullah ‎(Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam)‎.

We must follow the teachings and the Sunnah of Rasulullah ‎(Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam)‎ in order to understand and apply the Qur'aan-e-Karim. Without following Rasulullah ‎(Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam)‎, there is neither Deen‎, nor Imaan,  nor Qur'aan. To attain a good understanding and a correct and proper application of the Deen‎, one must consider the praiseworthy and priceless work of the Muhadditheen and the Fuqahaa. Otherwise, it is very risky to sail in this ocean filled with Fitnah. 

In short, to understand the Qur'aan that has been revealed and made available to us in written form, we must follow the mobile Qur'aan in the person of our beloved Nabi (Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam), which has been preserved and explained by the Muhadditheen and the Fuqahaa. Otherwise, there will be no Qur'aan, no Deen‎ and no Imaan.

May Allah Ta'aala keep us on the Tareeqah of our Nabi (Sallallaahu  Alaihi Wasallam), grant us his true Muhabbat and his Shafaa'at in the Aakhirah (Ameen).

[English version of "Le Qour’aan mobile" – Al Jamiat – Vol.5 No.7]