of Nokounam, (Session Nine)
This book embarks upon an exploration of the concepts of hermeneutics and interpretation of the Holy Qur'an, adopting a philosophical and mystical approach to distinguish between the apparent and inner dimensions of divine verses and entities. This work, lectures of a sagacious scholar, endeavours to examine the notion of hermeneutics as the expression of the inner reality of the divine verses in contrast to interpretation, which elucidates their apparent meaning. The structure of this book is designed to employ refined allegories and spiritual allusions, while maintaining a scientific and academic framework, thereby paving the way for a deeper comprehension of Qur'anic knowledge. The discourse proceeds with a particular focus on the duality of the 'essential perspective' and the 'indicative perspective', utilising Qur'anic verses to elucidate these concepts.
Within the Qur'anic tradition, interpretation refers to the explication of the apparent meaning of divine verses accessible to the general public, confined to the literal and semantic surface of the verses. In contrast, hermeneutics concerns the unveiling of the inner and deeper meanings of the verses, revealing the hidden layers of divine truths. This distinction is rooted in Qur'anic verses that attribute hermeneutics exclusively to God and those firmly grounded in knowledge:
وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِلَّا اللَّهُ ۗ وَالرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ
And none knows its hermeneutics except Allah and those firmly grounded in knowledge. (Al-Imran: 7)
This verse indicates that hermeneutics, transcending superficial understanding, requires profound and intuitive knowledge possessed solely by God and the firmly established in knowledge. Interpretation expounds the apparent meanings of the verses, whereas hermeneutics focuses on uncovering the wisdom and inner purposes behind them.
When hermeneutics is presented as the expression of the inner reality of the divine verses, a fundamental question arises: What is meant by inner reality? Does it refer to the material aspect of an object or verse, or to its spiritual and metaphysical truth? This inquiry directs the discussion towards distinguishing between material and spiritual dimensions, necessitating precise elucidation to clarify the concept of hermeneutics.
To address this question, one must consider two perspectives on objects and verses: the material (essential) perspective and the spiritual (indicative) perspective. This distinction, associated in Islamic philosophy with the discussion of intrinsic and accidental existence, demonstrates that the inner reality in hermeneutics refers to the existential truth and divine purpose of an object or verse, not merely its material facet.
Hermeneutics is employed in numerous instances within the Qur'an, including traditions, dreams, and apparent actions bearing inner wisdom. For example, in the story of Prophet Khidr in Surah Al-Kahf, hermeneutics alludes to the inner meaning behind his actions:
سَأُنَبِّئُكَ بِتَأْوِيلِ مَا لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ عَلَيْهِ صَبْرًا
I will inform you of the hermeneutics of that which you were unable to endure patiently. (Al-Kahf: 78)
In this verse, hermeneutics refers to the wisdom behind Khidr's act of piercing the boat, not the material aspect of the boat (wood and planks). This wisdom was to prevent its seizure by a tyrannical king. Other instances include dreams (such as Josephs dream) and traditions, indicating the diverse applications of hermeneutics in comprehending the inner realities of phenomena.
Hermeneutics is not confined to the material inner dimension of objects or verses. For instance, in the story of Khidr, the hermeneutics of the boat pertains to the wisdom and intent behind the act, not to the boats material aspect (wood). Similarly, in dreams, hermeneutics denotes the spiritual truth of the dream, not its apparent imagery. This demonstrates that hermeneutics is concerned with discerning divine purposes and spiritual realities.
The Holy Qur'an possesses two faces:
Hermeneutics relates to the indicative face, i.e., understanding the inner reality of the verses as divine signs, not their essential (material) aspect. For instance, when one opens the Qur'an, the paper and ink are materially indistinguishable from those of an ordinary letter. However, when regarded as divine verses, they signify divine truths.
To clarify this distinction, the philosophical terms primary attribution (aml awwal) and common attribution (aml shy) are employed. In primary attribution, concepts (such as human, God, or partner) exist solely as identical mental entities. In common attribution, these concepts refer to distinct external referents: God to the divine reality, human to an external being, and partner to a non-existent external entity. In Qur'anic hermeneutics, the indicative perspective pertains to an external referent (divine truths), not merely the mental existence of concepts.
To elucidate this distinction, the analogy of a mirror is invoked. When one looks into a mirror, one sees oneself (indicative perspective), not the glass and mercury of the mirror (essential perspective). Similarly, the verses of the Holy Qur'an are like mirrors reflecting divine truths, not merely paper and ink. When the Qur'an is read as divine verses, attention is given to their reality, not their material form.
A central question is whether the hermeneutics of the Qur'an pertains to the inner reality of the verses themselves or to the inner reality of the external objects referred to by the Qur'an (such as Resurrection, Faith, or Morality). The Holy Qur'an, as a comprehensive book, encompasses all:
وَمَا مِنْ دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا طَائِرٍ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ إِلَّا أُمَمٌ أَمْثَالُكُمْ ۚ مَا فَرَّطْنَا فِي الْكِتَابِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ
And there is no creature on earth or bird that flies with its two wings but they are communities like you. We have neglected nothing in the Book. (Al-An'am: 38)
The answer is that the hermeneutics of the Qur'an concerns the indicative inner reality of the verses; yet, since the verses speak of objects, the hermeneutics of the verses indeed displays the inner reality of those objects within the Qur'anic framework. This distinction indicates the difference between hermeneutics of objects (the inner reality of objects independent of the Qur'an) and hermeneutics of verses (the inner reality of objects within the Qur'anic context).
The Holy Qur'an serves as a universal mirror that reveals not only the cosmic order but also the existential system and divine truths. This characteristic renders the Qur'an a unique tool for accessing the inner reality of objects through its verses. For instance, the Qur'an enables the observation of the inner realities of the Prophets, Resurrection, and divine truths, which would otherwise remain inaccessible.
Hermeneutics, owing to its profound depth and precision, is akin to a jewellers scale that is disturbed by the slightest imbalance. This complexity underscores the vast difference between hermeneutics and interpretation, comparable to the distance between earth and sky. Hermeneutics requires profound knowledge, inner intuition, and heartfelt presence that transcend superficial knowledge.
To comprehend hermeneutics, intimacy with the Holy Qur'an and contemplation with heartfelt presence is essential. Such intimacy guides one from the essential (material) level to the indicative (spiritual) level. Viewing the Qur'an as divine signs rather than mere paper and ink facilitates the discovery of the inner reality of the verses. Just as contemplation upon a fruit reveals its beauty and delicacy, reflection upon the Qur'an with heartfelt presence leads one to the truth of the verses.
This book has explored the concepts of hermeneutics and interpretation of the Holy Qur'an, delineating a precise framework for understanding the inner reality of divine verses by distinguishing between the essential (material) and indicative (spiritual) perspectives. Hermeneutics, as the expression of the inner reality of the verses, transcends literal interpretation and uncovers divine truths and wisdom. The Holy Qur'an, as a universal mirror, enables access to the inner reality of objects through its verses. Understanding hermeneutics necessitates intimacy, heartfelt presence, and profound knowledge. The distinction between the essential and indicative inner realities highlights the epistemological depth of this discourse and paves the way for researchers towards a deeper comprehension of Qur'anic knowledge.
This work concludes with a supplication for success in drawing nearer to God and comprehending Qur'anic wisdom:
O God, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, and guide us to the proximity of divine revelation and the understanding of its truths.
Praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
