CONTEMPLATING THE QUR’AN
FOLLOWING THE QUR’AN AND SUNNAH:
BENEFITING FROM THE MADHHABS HOLISTICALLY
AND NOT FOLLOWING ONE MADHHAB RIGIDLY
Shaykh Muhammad al-Amin al-Shanqiti
An abridged translation of the author’s tafsir of
an ayah of the Qur’an (Surah Muhammad, 47:24)
from his Adwa’ al-Bayan (Lights of Eloquence)
with an
INTRODUCTION
by
Shaykh Suhaib Hasan
1st Rabi’ al-Awwal 1445 H / 16th September 2023
© Al-Qur’an Society, 1445 H / 2023 CE – All rights reserved.
Contemplating the Qur’an is a treatise on following the Qur’an and the Sunnah, benefiting from the codified Madhhabs holistically whilst not following any one Madhhab rigidly or blindly, by Shaykh Muhammad al-Amin al-Shanqiti (1325-1393 H / 1907-1973 CE) of Mauritania and Saudi Arabia, one of the greatest authorities on the Qur’an of the 20th century CE and the 14th Islamic century. The treatise is an abridged translation of the author’s tafsir of an ayah of the Qur’an (Surah Muhammad, 47:24) from his monumental tafsir, Adwa’ al-Bayan (Lights of Eloquence).
In this treatise, the author covers the following topics:
- Muslims must contemplate the Qur’an, learn it, understand it and act by it
- There is no basis for those who say that the above is only for the mujtahids
- A muqallid is not an ‘alim: a follower of opinions does not have knowledge
- Saying that we cannot follow the Qur’an and Sunnah but must follow the codified Madhhabs, is one of the greatest falsehoods
- A critique of Sawi’s view that holding to the apparent meanings of the Book and the Sunnah is one of the principles of kufr (blasphemy)
- On Ijtihad, Taqlid and Madhhab; permissible and impermissible taqlid
He concludes with eleven “Important Notes About This Issue,” including:
the Four Imams were united in forbidding their blind taqlid;
Haram/Halal cannot be stated on the basis of taqlid;
the difference between taqlid & ittiba’;
our stance towards the Imams;
every Imam has been criticized for going against the Sunnah in particular matters (with examples);
muqallids must distinguish between their Imam’s actual views and those added to his Madhhab after him;
it is impermissible for a Muslim to believe that the era of ijtihad is closed, and that only four Madhhabs must be followed;
turning away from the Qur’an and Sunnah in favour of the Four Madhhabs is one of the greatest problems that has beset Muslims over recent centuries.
We have added five important Appendices.
Firstly, an earlier, concise fatwa from the Shaykh about following Madhhabs, given in 1385 H (1964/5 CE). The Shaykh moved on from this fatwa somewhat, but we include it for the sake of integrity.
Secondly, we mention the Shaykh’s broadening out from his basis of the Maliki Madhhab after becoming exposed in Mecca and Medina to diverse views and schools from around the Muslim world.
Thirdly, we correct a contemporary misquote from Imam Ibn al-Qayyim, whom the Shaykh quotes extensively in his full discussion.
The misquote attempts to portray Ibn al-Qayyim as saying the opposite of his actual position, so we are happy to set the record straight.
Fourthly, we show how Imam Shatibi also presented a holistic approach to the Madhhabs.
Finally, we include Zamakhshari’s classic, educational and entertaining poem about Madhhabi sectarianism.
Tags: Adwa' al-Bayan, Allah, fatwa, Fiqh, Hadith, Hanafi, Hanbali, I'lam al-Muwaqqi'in, Ibn al-Qayyim, ijtihad, Islam, ittiba, Madhhabi, Madhhabism, Madhhabs, Maliki, Muslim, Prophet Muhammad, Qur'an, salafi, salafism, Shafi'i, Sharia, Shatibi, Shaykh Muhammad al-Amin al-Shanqiti, Sunnah, taqlid
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