Chapter Four (1)
On the Difference Between Interpreting Reports and Interpreting Requests

Speech is of two kinds (2): a report (khabar) and a request (ṭalab). The aim of a report is that it be believed, while the aim of a request is that it be carried out. Accordingly, the purpose of interpreting a report is to affirm the truthfulness of the one who issued it, whereas the purpose of interpreting a request is to bring about compliance with it. Any interpretation that nullifies what the reporter has conveyed, or that contradicts the request, is therefore a false interpretation.

Our concern here is to distinguish between interpreting commands and prohibitions, and interpreting reports. Knowledge of the former is an individual obligation upon every accountable person, for he cannot obey until he understands what is being asked of him.

Sufyān ibn ʿUyaynah said, “The sunnah is the interpretation of commands and prohibitions.” (3)

There is no disagreement within the ummah that those firmly grounded in knowledge are aware of this kind of interpretation, and the deeper one’s grounding, the fuller his understanding. Were knowledge of this interpretation impossible for human beings, known only to Allah, it would be impossible to act on the relevant texts—yet acting on them is obligatory. Hence there must exist within the ummah those who understand their interpretation; otherwise, the entire community would be neglecting what it has been commanded.

Sometimes the meaning of a text is perfectly clear, so the ummah does not differ about its interpretation. Nonetheless, disagreement may arise concerning its legal ruling—because the ruling is unknown to someone who has not received the text, or because apparently conflicting evidence presents itself to him, or—