TEXTUAL AND CONTEXTUAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE QUR'AN AND HADITH

Zamakhsyari bin Hasballah Thaib; Sulaiman Cham

Authors

Zamakhsyari bin Hasballah Thaib Universitas Dharmawangsa
Sulaiman Cham Department of Fiqh and Ushul, Faculty of Sharia, Rabbanien Open University, Gambia

Keywords:

Qur’anic Interpretation, Hadits Commentary, Textual Understanding, Contextual understanding, Rules for understanding Islamic teaching

Abstract

Abstract
This research discusses the textual and contextual understanding of the Qur’an and Hadith. As the primary sources of Islamic teachings, the Qur’an and Hadith are subject to varying levels of individual comprehension. Qur’anic exegesis has existed since the inception of Islam, while Hadith commentary (sharh) developed following the formal recording of Hadith. Although the text of the Qur’an remains immutable, its interpretation is invariably influenced by the context of time and place. The paper highlights two approaches to understanding religious texts (nash): the textual approach, which focuses on the wording, and the contextual approach, which considers social and historical backgrounds. The contextual approach is crucial, as interpretation devoid of context can lead to misunderstandings. It is essential to consider the history and societal conditions prevailing when the Qur’an was revealed, and to integrate both textual and contextual perspectives for a more holistic understanding. Principles governing these approaches include a command of history and Arabic linguistic rules, as well as an awareness of the relationship between the text and the broader social context. Furthermore, the paper emphasizes that a comprehensive knowledge of various aspects of interpretation is indispensable for the interpreter.