Below is a list of general rules of thumb that I consider when attempting to understand the verses of the Quran.
Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Out of all the multitude of names that God could use to introduce Himself to the readers of the Quran, the two names that He chose were Most Gracious ( الرَّحْمَٰنِ ) and Most Merciful ( الرَّحِيمِ ). Therefore any reading we have should be viewed through the lens of grace and mercy. This means that when I read the verses, I attempt to view them in the most charitable light written by the Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Sincerity
The Quran informs us that it is inaccessible to those who are not sincere. So to try to understand the Quran, we should be sincere and not read the Quran with preconceived notions or the hopes of extracting something we hope to be true. Someone who is sincere will read the text and accept what is stated without personal baggage.
[56:75] I swear by the positions of the stars.
[56:76] This is an oath, if you only knew, that is awesome.
[56:77] This is an honorable Quran.
[56:78] In a protected book.
[56:79] None can grasp it except the sincere.
[56:80] A revelation from the Lord of the universe.
(٧٥) فَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِمَوَاقِعِ النُّجُومِ
(٧٦) وَإِنَّهُ لَقَسَمٌ لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ عَظِيمٌ
(٧٧) إِنَّهُ لَقُرْآنٌ كَرِيمٌ
(٧٨) فِي كِتَابٍ مَكْنُونٍ
(٧٩) لَا يَمَسُّهُ إِلَّا الْمُطَهَّرُونَ
(٨٠) تَنْزِيلٌ مِنْ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
Essence
The main theme of the Quran is straightforward, but some verses are multi-meaning. Never let an understanding of the multi-meaning verse override the straightforward message of the Quran. Never let an understanding of a multi-meaning verse cause division (fit’na) between the believers.
[3:7] He sent down to you this scripture, containing straightforward verses—which constitute the essence of the scripture—as well as multiple-meaning or allegorical verses. Those who harbor doubts in their hearts will pursue the multiple-meaning verses to create fit’na, and to extricate a certain meaning. None knows the true meaning thereof except GOD and those well founded in knowledge. They say, “We believe in this—all of it comes from our Lord.” Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.
هُوَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ مِنْهُ آيَاتٌ مُحْكَمَاتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَابِهَاتٌ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَابَهَ مِنْهُ ابْتِغَاءَ الْفِتْنَةِ وَابْتِغَاءَ تَأْوِيلِهِ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَالرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ آمَنَّا بِهِ كُلٌّ مِنْ عِنْدِ رَبِّنَا وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّا أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ
Resist Twisting the meaning of words to Fit our own Desires
The Quran is written in perfect Arabic tongue and defines many of the words in the text itself by how it is used throughout the text. We need to fight the urge to impose our desires of what we want the text to say by twisting the meaning of words to try to extract a meaning that is more suitable to our liking
[11:12] You may wish to disregard some of that which is revealed to you, and you may be annoyed by it. Also, they may say, “How come no treasure comes down to him, or an angel?” You are only a warner; GOD controls all things.
فَلَعَلَّكَ تَارِكٌ بَعْضَ مَا يُوحَىٰ إِلَيْكَ وَضَائِقٌ بِهِ صَدْرُكَ أَنْ يَقُولُوا لَوْلَا أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ كَنْزٌ أَوْ جَاءَ مَعَهُ مَلَكٌ إِنَّمَا أَنْتَ نَذِيرٌ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَكِيلٌ
No Contradictions
Any understanding of a verse should not have any contradictions with other verses. If a contradiction is formed, then at a minimum, the understanding must be refined to eliminate the contradiction or completely abandoned.
[4:82] Why do they not study the Quran carefully? If it were from other than GOD, they would have found in it numerous contradictions.
(٨٢) أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِنْدِ غَيْرِ اللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا فِيهِ اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا
Deliberate
Every word, verse, and sura of the Quran is deliberate. Everything that is included and excluded is deliberate. If something is left out, it is by design,
[5:101] O you who believe, do not ask about matters which, if revealed to you prematurely, would hurt you. If you ask about them in light of the Quran, they will become obvious to you. GOD has deliberately overlooked them. GOD is Forgiver, Clement.
يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَسْأَلُوا عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ إِنْ تُبْدَ لَكُمْ تَسُؤْكُمْ وَإِنْ تَسْأَلُوا عَنْهَا حِينَ يُنَزَّلُ الْقُرْآنُ تُبْدَ لَكُمْ عَفَا اللَّهُ عَنْهَا وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ حَلِيمٌ
[6:38] All the creatures on earth, and all the birds that fly with wings, are communities like you. We did not leave anything out of this book. To their Lord, all these creatures will be summoned.
وَمَا مِنْ دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا طَائِرٍ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ إِلَّا أُمَمٌ أَمْثَالُكُمْ مَا فَرَّطْنَا فِي الْكِتَابِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يُحْشَرُونَ
The Quran CONTAINS OUR ANSWERS
[25:33] Whatever argument they come up with, we provide you with the truth, and a better understanding.
وَلَا يَأْتُونَكَ بِمَثَلٍ إِلَّا جِئْنَاكَ بِالْحَقِّ وَأَحْسَنَ تَفْسِيرًا
| walā | وَلَا | And not |
| yatūnaka | يَأْتُونَكَ | they come to you |
| bimathalin | بِمَثَلٍ | with an example / argument |
| illā | إِلَّا | except |
| ji’nāka | جِئْنَاكَ | we brought you |
| bil-ḥaqi | بِالْحَقِّ | [in] the truth, |
| wa-aḥsana | وَأَحْسَنَ | and (the) best / better |
| tafsīran | تَفْسِيرًا | tafsir / explanation / commentary / understanding. |
Quran Only Source of Religious Law
[6:114] Shall I seek other than GOD as a source of law, when He has revealed to you this book fully detailed?* Those who received the scripture recognize that it has been revealed from your Lord, truthfully. You shall not harbor any doubt.
[6:115] The word of your Lord is complete,* in truth and justice. Nothing shall abrogate His words. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.
[6:116] If you obey the majority of people on earth, they will divert you from the path of GOD. They follow only conjecture; they only guess.
أَفَغَيْرَ اللَّهِ أَبْتَغِي حَكَمًا وَهُوَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْكِتَابَ مُفَصَّلًا وَالَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ مُنَزَّلٌ مِنْ رَبِّكَ بِالْحَقِّ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْمُمْتَرِينَ
وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقًا وَعَدْلًا لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَاتِهِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
وَإِنْ تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ إِنْ يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا الظَّنَّ وَإِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَخْرُصُونَ
Patience
We must be patient when trying to understand the Quran and ask God to increase our knowledge.
[20:114] Most Exalted is GOD, the only true King. Do not rush into uttering the Quran before it is revealed to you, and say, “My Lord, increase my knowledge.”
فَتَعَالَى اللَّهُ الْمَلِكُ الْحَقُّ وَلَا تَعْجَلْ بِالْقُرْآنِ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يُقْضَىٰ إِلَيْكَ وَحْيُهُ وَقُلْ رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا