Prohibition of interpreting the Qur'an based on personal opinion or inclinations
Q 2:
Is it permissible or even acceptable for someone to state their personal contemplations on the Qur’an or what scholars call “Lata’if Al-Tafsir (Subtleties of Qur’an Interpretation),”
(Part No. 4; Page No. 176) although they are not based on any Hadith Mawquf (words or deeds narrated from a Companion of the Prophet that are not attributed to the Prophet) or Hadith Marfu‘ (a Hadith narrated from the Prophet with a connected or disconnected chain of narration)?
A:
It is permissible for scholars to interpret the meanings of the Qur’an based on their knowledge of the Arabic Language and general rulings of Shari‘ah (Islamic law), relying in this on Ayahs (Qur’anic verses) explaining one another, the interpretation given by the authentic Sunnah to the Qur’an and that of the eminent Salaf (righteous predecessors).However, interpreting the Qur’an based on personal opinions and inclinations is Haram (prohibited). It was
narrated on the authority of
Ibn Jarir and others
that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
Anyone who interprets the Qur’an according to their personal opinion let them take their place in Hellfire.
May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.