“Surely, you must have encountered phrases and sentences that have multiple meanings. Imagine your father has asked you to do something for him and also told you that if you have any questions, ask your brother. If, while doing the task, there is any ambiguity, you should refer to the speaker or someone who knows the speaker’s intention. In this case, if you go ahead and do something on your own and say, ‘I understood your meaning this way,’ your father could definitely rebuke you for not asking your brother, as he is the one who knows the true intent. Yes, this is a rational rule for understanding any text, and it is precisely what Imam al-Askari (peace be upon him) teaches us about understanding the Qur’an.
Isḥāq al-Kindī was a philosopher in Iraq and the author of a book titled “Contradictions of the Qur’an.” He had been working on this book for a long time. One day, one of his students visited Imam al-Askari (peace be upon him). When the Imam saw him, he said: “Is there no one among you who can respond to the statements of your teacher?”
The student replied, “We are his students, and we cannot object to our teacher.”
The Imam (peace be upon him) asked, “If something is taught to you, can you convey it to your teacher?”
The student said, “Yes.”
Imam al-Askari (peace be upon him) then said, “When you return, go to your teacher and treat him with warmth and affection. Try to form a bond with him. Once you have developed a strong relationship, ask him this: ‘Is it possible that the speaker of the Qur’an may have intended something other than what you think?'”
The student was instructed to ask this question, and the Imam added: “When you do this, tell him that you might not know for sure, but it is possible that the speaker of the Qur’an had a different meaning in mind than what you think, and perhaps you have used the words in a way that they were not intended.”
The Imam (peace be upon him) said: “He is a sharp-witted man, and raising this point will be enough to make him realize his mistake.”
The student followed the Imam’s advice and went to his teacher. Once the moment was right, he asked the question. The Iraqi philosopher listened carefully to the student’s question and then told him to repeat it. After some thought, the teacher replied: “Yes, it is very possible. There could be something in the mind of the speaker that the listener does not perceive. The listener may understand the words in one way while the speaker intended something different.”
The teacher, knowing that the student could not have come up with this question on his own, turned to him and said: “I swear you must tell me the truth. Where did this question come from?”
The student responded, “The truth is that Abu Muhammad (Imam al-Askari) taught me this question.”
The teacher replied, “Now you have spoken the truth.” He then added, “Such matters are only fitting for this family (Ahl al-Bayt), they are the ones who can reveal the truth.” Afterward, the teacher burned his entire book.
Yes! Since some words, phrases, and verses of the Qur’an can have multiple meanings, understanding God’s true intent can only be achieved through the way He Himself has designated. This is why the Qur’an calls us to reflect upon its verses and, in many verses, refers us to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) as the interpreters and explainers of the Qur’an. For a better and more accurate understanding of the verses, we are directed to them.
As an example, in verses 43 and 44 of Surah An-Nahl, God teaches us: “If you do not know, ask those who know. We have sent down to you this Qur’an so that you may clarify to the people what has been sent to them, and perhaps they may reflect.”[1]
But truly, how often do we sit at the table of the knowledge of the Qur’an and the Ahl al-Bayt? How much of the correct understanding of the divine verses has truly penetrated our hearts and minds?
(Adapted from the book “Seerah of the Leaders,” authored by Hujjat al-Islam Mahdi Pishvayi (with condensation and additions))”
Footnote:
[1] (Surah An-Nahl, verses 43 and 44)