The original book is written by Sheikh As-Saa’di

Sheikh ibn Uthaimeen has written the explanation (شرح) of the book

Some verses in the Quran have specific reasons why they were revealed

(the reasons for the revelation) هناك اسباب النزول اآليات في بعض

1) Example: the lady (wife) who came to Prophet Muhammad

complaining about her husband " … سمع للاه د " ق

2) Example: angels descended in the Battle of Badr

But you need to take the general understanding from the Quran

This rule is very beneficial ( مفيدة القاعدةهذه ) in order the slave (you) will get lots of good

(benefit) AND deep knowledge (understanding) يحصل للعبد خير كثير

If you miss this rule – you will miss lots of benefit from the verse

You will get abundant knowledge (علم غزير) if you follow this rule

Who put this rule?

1) All the people who explained the Quran – they unanimously agreed upon this rule

هذا االصل اتفق عليه المحققون (2

those who interpret the Quran = مفسرين (3

4) They say the اسباب النزول is only there to explain the meaning of the verse clearly but

its application has to be general

to clarify the meaning توضع المعنى (5

The verses were revealed with specific reasons/situations in order to make their meaning and

understanding clear to everyone

2nd rule:

Need to take the general meaning of each verse even if it was revealed for in a specific situation

العبرة بعموم االفاظ ال بخصوص االسباب

How will you

interact with

the Quran?

اسباب النزول

هي امثله توضع المعنىAllah initiated

incidents/reasons for specific verses to be revealed in order

to clarify their meaning

WHY DO WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE GENERAL

MEANING OF THE VERSE?

Allah revealed the Quran to guide this ummah / nation

1) The first of this nation and the last of this nation

2) If you say that this verse is only limited to this reason of revelation – then you are

limiting yourself to its knowledge and application

3) Although the reason why the verse was revealed was specific – you still need to take the

generic meaning also to apply it to your life

Allah has commanded us to reflect and ponder upon the Quran

1) You cannot ponder and reflect unless you apply the verses in your own life

2) Every verse in the Quran is specifically for you

3) If you ponder upon the general meaning and understand it its meaning will open

another door of understanding for you

لهداية االمة من اولها الى آخرهاانما انزل القرآن

و هللا امرنا بالتفكر و التدبر لكتابه

Ibn Masood رضى هللا عنه said:

1. When you read any verse addressed to the believers – listen to it carefully & attentively Don’t say it’s only for the Sahaba or other people – I am not from this group so I don’t need

to listen to it or pay attention to it

Because you have to take every verse generally in order to benefit from it the most

Because anything that Allah commands you with – it is either the good (خير) or it is to stay

away from the evil (شر)

It allows you to interact with the Quran

If you think the verse is not applicable to you – you will not interact with the Quran

2. When you come across any news about Allah – about His perfections and how He is free from all faults You affirm all the positives that He deserves all the perfections and that He is free from

all the faults

Affirm the complete meaning of the verse (which Allah affirmed/attributed to Himself)

Negate whatever Allah negates – free Him from everything / anything that He frees Himself

from

This helps you to affirm your faith and belief and increase your ايمان

Don’t read the Quran as if it is far away from you

3. When you read about Allah’s books, messengers, the Day of Judgment or the past and future things (unseen) Unseen matters can be from the past or from the future! Need to believe in it without any doubts – completely Don’t give it another meaning Whatever is in the Quran is the best in truthfulness – best and highest rank of truthfulness

among all the truths Allah mentions in the Quran Surah An-Nisa #122

قه ِمن للِا ِقيلا و ن أْصد – and who is more truthful than Allah in statement… م

These are just changes in your heart – simple changes in the heart to believe 4. When you read about any commands/forbidden things – they are directed to the

whole ummah It’s not only directed to a certain group of people We are supposed to identify ourselves with what Allah revealed to us This is the path of good and success

Quick Facts (Summary):

Take the general meaning of every verse

Use the reasons for revelation to understand the verses clearly

There are different ways to deal with the different types of verses in the Quran

(Ibn Masud):

1 If its addressed to the believers pay attention to it

2 If its news about Allah affirm what He affirms/negate what He negates

3 If it’s about the unseen (past/future) need to believe as it’s the best rank of truth

4 If it’s about the commands & forbidden things

it’s for the whole ummah not for a certain group of people – supposed to obey/follow

قال ابن مسعود رضي هللا عنه

اذا سمعت هللا يقول "يا أيها الذين آمنوا"

فارعها سمعك

فانه خير تؤمر به

شر تنهى عنه

و متى مّربك خبر عن هللا

ما يستحقه من الكمال

يتنزه عن النقص

اثبت له جميع المعنى الذي اثبته لنفسه

نزّهه عن كل ما نّزه نفسه عنه

اذا اخبر عن كتبه و رسله و اليوم اآلخر

االمور السابقةيجزم به جزما ال شك

فيه على عنه حق

االمور اللحقةاعلى درجات الحق و

الصدق

االمر و النهي موجه لجميع االمه

الخير و الفلح معرفة ما انزل للا

Ibn Masud

May Allah

be pleased

with him, said:

When you hear the words of Allah "O you who believe"

pay close/careful attention to it

(listen carefully)

for indeed -it commands us with good

forbids (protects from) for the evil

When you come across any news

about Allah

How He is deserving of all the Perfection

How He is free from any imperfections /

faults

affirm all the meanings/news He

affirms about Himself (in your heart)

negate all what He negates about Himself

When you come across news

about His books, His messengers, & the Last Day

the affairs of the past

believe in it firmly without any doubt over

its truth

the affairs of the future

believe that it is the highest/best rank of the

truth

The Commands & Prohibitions

are for the whole ummah

to understand what Allah has revealed

this is the way to goodness & success