Don't Interpret the Quran Just Based on Personal Opinion

Don't Misinterpret Islamic Teachings

Whoever interprets the Quran according to his personal opinion has said something wrong, even if he is right.

Volume 4: Chapter 1: Number 2952

At-Tirmidzi. (2008). Sunan Al-Tirmithi. Translated by Haytham Kreidly.

"This verse clearly supports my opinion!" someone confidently says while quoting a verse whose context they don't actually understand. "This hadith proves I'm right," even though they only read bits and pieces of the translation without understanding the scholars' explanations. With the rise of religious debates, more and more people are interpreting the Quran and hadith according to their personal desires, just to justify their opinions.

The Threat of Hellfire for Those Who Lie About Hadith and Interpret the Quran Without Knowledge The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Be careful in conveying my words unless you truly know them. Whoever deliberately narrates a lie (when conveying hadith), let him prepare his seat in Hellfire.And whoever interprets the Quran according to his personal opinion, let him prepare his seat in Hellfire."

Why is it so serious? Because when someone interprets a verse according to their own desires without proper knowledge, they don't just risk misunderstanding the word of Allah, but can also mislead others who believe their interpretation. The Quran has context, there is asbabun nuzul (the reason for revelation), there are explanations from the Prophet ﷺ, and there is a methodology of interpretation established by scholars. Ignoring all of this and directly interpreting based on personal understanding is an extremely dangerous act.

For example: In Surah An-Nisa verse 34, Allah says "...and if you sense ill-conduct from your women, then advise them, separate them in bed, and strike them..." Wrong Personal Interpretation: "If your wife disobeys, just hit her! The command is in the Quran!" However, there are 3 steps that must be done in order: (1) Advise with kind words, (2) Separate beds (give distance for reflection), (3) Only then comes the "striking" (which is very limited). The "striking" mentioned is not a harsh blow that injures or leaves marks, and must not touch the face.

Related Hadith (1): Rasulullah (ﷺ) said: “I enjoin you to treat women well, and you have no right to treat them otherwise, unless they commit clear indecency. If they do that, then forsake them in their beds and strike them, but without causing injury or leaving a mark.”

Related Hadith (2): Rasulullah (ﷺ) said: “If one among you engages in a fight with his brother, he must avoid striking the face.”