First Maxim: How to Approach Qur’anic Exegesis

Whoever walks a path, undertakes an action, and enters it through its proper doors and the routes that truly lead to it will inevitably prosper, succeed, and reach his goal, as the Most High says: “Enter houses by their doors” (al-Baqarah 189).

The loftier the objective, the more emphatic this directive becomes, and the more essential it is to search thoroughly for the best and most upright ways that lead to it. There is no doubt that the subject before us is the most important and most exalted of matters; indeed, it is their foundation and root.

Know, then, that this majestic Qur’an was sent down by Allah to guide humankind and direct them aright, and that in every era, time, and place it points to what is most upright and most correct: “Indeed, this Qur’an guides to that which is most upright” (al-Isrāʾ 9).

For that reason, people must receive the meaning of Allah’s words as the Companions—may Allah be pleased with them—received it. Whenever they read ten verses, or a little more or less, they would not move past them until they had come to know and verify what they indicated of faith, knowledge, and action. They applied them to the situations before them, believed in the doctrines and reports they contained, submitted to their commands and prohibitions, and related them to all the events and occurrences they witnessed in themselves and others. They would then call themselves to account: Are we fulfilling their rights and demands or falling short? How can we remain firm upon the beneficial matters and make up what is lacking? How do we rid ourselves of harmful matters? Thus they were guided by its knowledge, adorned themselves with its character and etiquette, and realized that it is an address from the Knower of the unseen and the seen, directed to them, obliging them to understand its meanings and act according to its requirements.

Whoever follows the path they trod and strives earnestly to reflect upon Allah’s word,