ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَلَمۡ يَلۡبِسُوٓاْ إِيمَٰنَهُم بِظُلۡمٍ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمُ ٱلۡأَمۡنُ وَهُم مُّهۡتَدُونَ
The principle and its importance:
Ibn Kathir said in his introduction: "The most sound method of tafsir is explaining the Quran by the Quran" — what is summarized in one place is elaborated in another; what is vague in one place is clarified elsewhere.
Types of context that affect interpretation:
- Immediate context: The verse with what precedes and follows it — "Do not approach prayer" (4:43) — the context tells us: "when you are intoxicated," meaning do not approach prayer while drunk, not the places of prayer.
- Surat context: The overall purpose of the entire surah — Surah Yusuf revolves around patience and trust in Allah during hardship.
- Whole-Quran context: "Those who believe and do not mix their faith with wrongdoing" (6:82) — the Prophet interpreted "wrongdoing" here as "shirk" using Al-Luqman 31:13: "Indeed shirk is a great wrongdoing."
Ibn Taymiyyah principle:
"Among the best methods of tafsir is explaining the Quran by the Quran — what is summarized in one place has been explained in another place." (Introduction to the Principles of Tafsir)
Caution:
Relying on context requires command of the entire Quran — whoever interprets using a narrow context without grasping the broader picture will fall into error.
Question: Give an example of the Quran interpreting itself from Al-Anam 6:82. How did the Prophet interpret "wrongdoing" in that verse?
Answer: The verse: "those who believe and do not mix their faith with wrongdoing" — "wrongdoing" was interpreted as "shirk" using Luqman 31:13: "Indeed shirk is a great wrongdoing." The Quran interpreted a broad term with its most specific meaning through another verse.