Reflections on Surah 39, Ayat 18 of the Quran
By Muqtedar Khan PhD.
"Those who listen to the Word (the Quran) and follow the best meaning in it: those are the ones whom Allah has guided and those are the one's endowed with understanding." - Quran 39:18

This verse has a very important message for those who tend to use a literalist approach to Islamic injunctions. The verse suggests that many meanings are decipherable from the text of the Quran. It also suggests that some meanings are better than others. Most importantly the verse recommends that we follow the best of meanings.

At face value this may seem like a simple command. But consider this dilemma: When more than one understanding of a Quranic injunction is possible, how do we conclude which is the best meaning? What criteria should be employed to determine which is the best of meanings?

Invariable the tendency is to turn to past interpretations of the Quran and privilege the opinion of past scholars. The practice of hero-worship of past scholars determines which interpretation is accepted.

I believe that this traditionalist approach is counter-productive. It merely recycles past opinions without actually making Islam relevant to specific times and circumstances. This is not intended as disrespect to past scholars or past opinions. It is only a reminder that all interpretive opinions are contextual.

I recommend that contemporary maslaha, or the public welfare in our time, should be the criterion that determines what is the best meaning of any Quranic injunction.

Through Shura [consultation] we can reach an understanding of what constitutes public good and that consensual concern should guide our selection of Quranic meanings.

Let people advance competing interpretations of the Quran. Let there be freedom of thought and creativity. Let there be difference of opinion. Let there be debate. This will only enrich the Ummah and make the Islamic world vibrant and alive.

Which interpretation becomes authoritative, let local communities decide through Shura. If there is a need for a global ijma*on a specific issue, then we can have a global conference and bring different global perspectives to the forum and once again let the best case for the well being of humanity prevail as the authority that determines which is the most beautiful, most compassionate, most fair and most reasonable understanding of Islam.

Wallahu Alam - And God knows best.

*Ijma - the agreement of religious scholars when when providing legal opinions on issues not directly ruled upon in the Quran.

Dedicated to the memory of the writer's father, Abdul Hafeez Khan.