Allah describes the Qur’an as being wise: “This which We recite unto you is a revelation and a wise reminder.” [Sūrah Āl `Imrān: 58]; and: “(I swear) by the wise Qur’an” [Sūrah YāSīn: 2]
We can discern two reasons for this:
The Wise Qur’an contains teachings that can help remedy many of the problems we face today, whether those problems are social, economic, or political. What the Qur’an provides us with are the general governing principles by which we will be rightly guided in all walks of life. However, not everyone will be equally effective in applying these general principles to their practical experience. For instance, scholars of Islamic jurisprudence study the Qur’an to derive from it legal principles and apply them to practical legal problems.
It is unfortunate that Muslims today have stopped trying to understand the Qur’an in how its guidance relates to their troubles and practical concerns. This is a serious problem, since understanding the Qur’an is a prerequisite for all Muslim scholars and thinkers who wish to seriously engage with today’s issues.
We cannot doubt that the Qur’an contains the essential principles for guiding humanity. This is why Allah says: “It is He Who has sent amongst the unlettered people a messenger from among themselves, to rehearse to them His Signs, to sanctify them, and to instruct them in scripture and wisdom, although they had been, before that, in manifest error.” [Sūrah al-Jumu`ah: 2]
We read in the commentaries on this verse that “wisdom” in this verse refers to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). We understand from this that it is from Allah’s wisdom that He sent Messengers to teach the people, along with the revealed scriptures, so they could learn how to apply the scriptures in their lives in a beneficial way.
Allah says: “Now there has come to you a messenger from among yourselves: it grieves him that you should fall into distress: ardently anxious is he over you: to the Believers he is compassionate, merciful.” [Sūrah al-Tawbah: 128]
Allah selects the best among the people to be His Messengers, those who possess the greatest character, presence of mind, understanding, and ability, so they can convey Allah’s message and be witnesses before humanity.
This is why Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) possessed such greatness of character, as is clear to anyone who reads about his life. It was a great blessing to humanity that Allah sent the likes of Muhammad to them as His Messenger.
Allah says: “Allah did confer a great favor on the believers when He sent among them a messenger from among themselves, rehearsing unto them the signs of Allah, sanctifying them, and instructing them in scripture and wisdom, while, before that, they had been in manifest error.” [Sūrah Āl `Imrān: 164]
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) understood the Qur'an and applied its guidance in his daily life with sensitivity, understanding, and compassion. We should do the same.
We can discern two reasons for this:
1. It is a manifestation of Allah's wisdom that He sent to us the teaching revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the Qur’an.
2. The religious teachings that Allah has set forth for us in the Qur’an are full of wisdom.
2. The religious teachings that Allah has set forth for us in the Qur’an are full of wisdom.
The Wise Qur’an contains teachings that can help remedy many of the problems we face today, whether those problems are social, economic, or political. What the Qur’an provides us with are the general governing principles by which we will be rightly guided in all walks of life. However, not everyone will be equally effective in applying these general principles to their practical experience. For instance, scholars of Islamic jurisprudence study the Qur’an to derive from it legal principles and apply them to practical legal problems.
It is unfortunate that Muslims today have stopped trying to understand the Qur’an in how its guidance relates to their troubles and practical concerns. This is a serious problem, since understanding the Qur’an is a prerequisite for all Muslim scholars and thinkers who wish to seriously engage with today’s issues.
We cannot doubt that the Qur’an contains the essential principles for guiding humanity. This is why Allah says: “It is He Who has sent amongst the unlettered people a messenger from among themselves, to rehearse to them His Signs, to sanctify them, and to instruct them in scripture and wisdom, although they had been, before that, in manifest error.” [Sūrah al-Jumu`ah: 2]
We read in the commentaries on this verse that “wisdom” in this verse refers to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). We understand from this that it is from Allah’s wisdom that He sent Messengers to teach the people, along with the revealed scriptures, so they could learn how to apply the scriptures in their lives in a beneficial way.
Allah says: “Now there has come to you a messenger from among yourselves: it grieves him that you should fall into distress: ardently anxious is he over you: to the Believers he is compassionate, merciful.” [Sūrah al-Tawbah: 128]
Allah selects the best among the people to be His Messengers, those who possess the greatest character, presence of mind, understanding, and ability, so they can convey Allah’s message and be witnesses before humanity.
This is why Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) possessed such greatness of character, as is clear to anyone who reads about his life. It was a great blessing to humanity that Allah sent the likes of Muhammad to them as His Messenger.
Allah says: “Allah did confer a great favor on the believers when He sent among them a messenger from among themselves, rehearsing unto them the signs of Allah, sanctifying them, and instructing them in scripture and wisdom, while, before that, they had been in manifest error.” [Sūrah Āl `Imrān: 164]
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) understood the Qur'an and applied its guidance in his daily life with sensitivity, understanding, and compassion. We should do the same.