Page 23 - Tafsir of surat at tawba repentance
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“Verily, they will be veiled from their Lord on that day.”
Therefore, before seeking an explanation or interpretation elsewhere, the Qur’aan
must be relied upon to explain itself, for Allaah knows best what He intended.
2. Tafseer of Qur’aan by the Sunnah
On many occasions, the Prophet (r) added further clarification to various
verses of the Qur’aan. Allaah had entrusted the job of explaining the Qur’aan to
the Prophet (r). This trust was expressed in the Qur’aan in no uncertain terms,
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“I have revealed the Reminder (Qur’aan) to you (O Muhammad) so
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that you may explain to the people what has been revealed to them.”
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“I have only revealed the Book to you (O Muhammad) in order that
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you clarify for them the things about which they differ.”
The sahaabah understood this clearly and always turned to the Prophet (r) for
clarification whenever they were in doubt about the meaning of any of the
Qur’aanic passages. In fact, most of the fine details of salaah, zakaah, sawm,
hajj, inheritance laws, etc. were explained either by the Prophet’s statements or
practical demonstrations and applications (the Sunnah). Thus, the Prophet’s
explanations of Qur’aanic passages are referred to as the tafseer of the Qur’aan by
the Sunnah. For example, in Soorah al-Faatihah, the Prophet (r) explained that
“al-maghdoobi ‘alayhim” (those on whom is Allaah’s anger) are the Jews, and
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Soorah al-Mutaffifeen (83):15.
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Soorah an-Nahl (16):44.
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Soorah an-Nahl (16):64.
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