Scientific Tafsir

Q 3: What is the ruling on scientific books of Tafsir (exegesis of the meanings of the Qur'an)? To what extent is it legitimate to connect some Ayahs (Qur’anic verses) with scientific and experimental issues?

A: No reliance should be placed on any books of Tafsir that contain invalid interpretations, like interpreting the Ayah, saying: Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were joined together as one united piece, then We parted them? And We have made from water every living thing. As meaning that the earth used to be part of the sun and due to the speedy rotation of the sun on its axis, the earth detached from it, then the earth cooled from the outside, whereas the interior part remained hot, then the earth joined the nine planets of the known solar system orbiting the sun. Scientific books of Tafsir which support such theories are not reliable.The same holds true of other books of Tafsir whose authors prove the theory of the earth’s rotation based on deduction from the Ayah which states: And you will see the mountains and think them solid, but they shall pass away as the passing away of the clouds. These kinds of Tafsir change the words of the Qur’an out of their natural context in an attempt to subject them to so-called "scientific theories" - which are no more than hypotheses, guesses and fancies.Falling under the same category are all books of Tafsir that depend on introducing novel theories (Part No. 4; Page No. 181) that have no basis in the Qur’an, the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) or the opinions of the Salaf (righteous predecessors). Such are statements made concerning Allah (Exalted be He) without knowledge.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.