Hadith #8629

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises the Muslims to hold firmly onto the Qur'an and to abide by its teachings. He emphasizes the importance of accepting what the Qur'an permits and refraining from what it forbids. This highlights the significance of following the lawful and avoiding the unlawful as prescribed by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further advises the believers to act upon the definitive and clear verses of the Qur'an. These verses are explicit in their meaning and require no further interpretation. They provide clear guidance on matters of faith, worship, and morality. By adhering to these verses, Muslims can ensure that they are following the straight path and fulfilling their obligations to Allah.

However, the Qur'an also contains verses that are not as clear and may require interpretation. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) advises the Muslims to refer these ambiguous verses to those who possess knowledge and understanding. This emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from qualified scholars who have deep knowledge of the Qur'an and its teachings. By doing so, Muslims can avoid misinterpretation and ensure that they are following the correct understanding of these verses.

The Imam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights that the Qur'an is a witness over us. It testifies to our actions and serves as a reminder of our responsibilities as Muslims. It is a divine book that encompasses guidance for all aspects of life, and it is our duty to adhere to its teachings.

To support the exegesis of this hadith, let us turn to the Qur'an for further guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:87),

O you who have believed, do not prohibit the good things which Allah has made lawful to you and do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors.

This verse emphasizes the importance of accepting and abiding by what Allah has permitted for us. It is a reminder to Muslims to stay away from imposing unnecessary restrictions on themselves or others, as long as it is within the boundaries set by Allah.

In Surah Al-A'raf (7:157), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him - it is those who will be the successful.

This verse highlights the role of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in explaining and clarifying the teachings of the Qur'an. It emphasizes the importance of following his guidance in understanding and implementing the Qur'an's teachings.

Reflecting on this hadith, we can understand the importance of the Qur'an as a comprehensive guide for Muslims. It is a source of divine wisdom and guidance that provides clarity on matters of faith, worship, and morality. By adhering to the Qur'an's teachings, Muslims can ensure that they are following the straight path and fulfilling their obligations to Allah. Furthermore, seeking knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars is essential in understanding the Qur'an's ambiguous verses and avoiding misinterpretation. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to hold firmly onto the Qur'an and to implement its teachings in our lives.