Sunday, September 23, 2012
Purpose and Clarity in the Qur'an
In The Qur’an purpose and clarity of words are important. The Qur’an is referred to itself in the text and this demonstrates the awareness and clear purpose of the writer. The book is defined and has a laid out purpose. The clarity of the Qur’an is also an important aspect of the text. The clarity of the writing helps to eliminate different interpretations. The text lays out things that are right and wrong and talks about everything deemed important for people to know. The clarity and precise purpose of the text are important because they leave little to ambiguous interpretation. They add significance to the text and make it easier for people to understand and follow the text.
First, I argue that the well defined purpose of the Qur’an adds weight to the text and makes it easier for believers to understand and follow. It is stated, “The Qur’an was revealed for guidance of mankind, clear messages giving guidance and distinguishing between right and wrong” (2:185). This purpose of the text written out makes known the goal of the Qur’an. As a reader, being told that the goal of the text is to guide and distinguish between right and wrong, it makes it easier to keep this in mind as this is illustrated throughout the text. Also, it is helpful that the author of the Qur’an is aware of what he is writing by referring to it as the “The Qur’an” in the text. By acknowledging the text they are writing, the writer can directly address issues such as purpose of the text, meaning, and more.
Next, I argue that the use of clarifying words in the Qur’an eases the reading of the text and make a great range of interpretation less probable therefore making the text easier to follow. It is stated, “It [the Qur’an] is a confirmation of what was revealed before it and an explanation of the Scripture. Let there be no doubt about it, it is from the Lord of the Worlds.” (10:37) In this section the words “Let there be no doubt” help us to know that the next thing said is absolutely true. So we know absolutely that the Qur’an is from the Lord of the Worlds. Another example of an instance with clear writing is, “We did not create the heavens and the earth and everything between them without a true purpose” (15:85). This is a informative statement that is not veiling the issue behind fancy words. The fact that the heaven and earth were created with a purpose is laid right before us. We do not have to guess because we are told it is so. This same type of writing is used throughout the book. The things we need to know are laid out clearly.
The defined purpose and clarity of the text are important because they add weight to the Qur’an’s writing and make it easier to follow. For a believer, this is important because they must follow what is written in the Qur’an and if it is not clear and purposeful than this can become difficult to truly do what is God’s will.
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Marlee makes a great point on the clarity of the words used in the Qu'ran. It even points out several times throughout the text that it is "scripture that makes things clear" (Sura 27:1). This text is not trying to confuse its followers, but to properly guide them. Marlee points out that the text is not trying to hide behind embellishments or some kind of tale, but it directly says what to do and what not to do. In the readings, all points of possible controversy or argument are adverted for the Prophet, to bring the most clarity in why things were done in such a way: "say, 'what counts most as a witness?' Say, 'God is witness between you and me. This Qu'ran was revealed for me to warn you[peopel] and everyone it reaches. Do you really bear witness that there are other gods beside God?' Say, "I myself do not bear witness [to any such thing].' Say, 'He is only one God, and I disown whatever you join with Him' (Sura 6:19). Here in this quote, God reveals to the Prophet of what to exactly say and disprove any opposition to the Qu'ran.
ReplyDeleteAs both Liezel and Marlee have brought up in their examinations of the text, the clarity comes largely from the text's self-awareness. This self-awareness allows for the use of second person pronouns which give power to the text by making it clear how we are supposed to interact with it (96:1-5). This is a departure from the narrative style we experienced in Genesis where we learn vicariously through the experiences of the characters.
ReplyDeleteKyra makes a great point saying that the text of the Qur'an is self-aware. I think this is a very interesting stylistic choice in comparison to the "storybook" element I found while reading Genesis. For me, I saw the Qur'an as more of a rule book and Genesis as a story that one should read and take lessons from, kind of like a fable. In this sense, the Qur'an is a much more direct text, allowing for a very different interpretation than one would find in Genesis.
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