التأويل: معناه، أقسامه، ما يجوز منه وما لا يجوز.
Discussion on Ta’wil: Meaning, Classification, What is Permissible and What is Not Permissible (Part One)
Translated by: Reza Ervani bin Asmanu
This article Discussion on Ta’wil is part of Islamic Question and Answer
السؤال
Question
نريد منكم نبذة عن مسألة التأويل في الأسماء والصفات، وما هي حدود التأويل؟ ومتى يُلجأ إلى التأويل؟ ومتى يكون اللفظ على ظاهره؟ ومتى تكون هناك قرينة لنفي الصفة أو إثباتها أو صرف معناها؟
We would like a brief explanation regarding the issue of ta’wil (interpretation) in the names and attributes of Allah. What are the limits of ta’wil? When can one refer to ta’wil? When does a word retain its apparent meaning? And when is there an indication to negate, affirm, or direct a meaning in a specific way?
الإجابــة
Answer
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله، وعلى آله، وصحبه، أما بعد:
فاعلم أن للتأويل ثلاثة معانٍ قد بيّنها غير واحد من أهل العلم؛ كشيخ الإسلام ابن تيمية، وتلميذه ابن القيم، وغيرهما -رحم الله الجميع-،
Know that ta’wil has three meanings that have been explained by many scholars, such as Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, his student Ibn al-Qayyim, and others—may Allah have mercy on them all.
وممن ذكرها: الشيخ/ ابن عثيمين -رحمه الله- في تقريب التدمرية، حيث قال: التأويل لغة: ترجيع الشيء إلى الغاية المرادة منه، من الأوْل وهو الرجوع. وفي الاصطلاح: رد الكلام إلى الغاية المرادة منه، بشرح معناه، أو حصول مقتضاه، ويطلق على ثلاثة معان:
Among those who mentioned it is Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen—may Allah have mercy on him—in his book Taqrib at-Tadmuriyyah, where he said: Ta’wil linguistically means returning something to its intended goal, derived from the word al-awl, which means “returning.” In technical terms, ta’wil means referring speech to its intended goal by explaining its meaning or realizing its implications. Ta’wil has three meanings:
الأول: “التفسير” وهو توضيح الكلام بذكر معناه المراد به، ومنه قوله تعالى عن صاحبي السجن يخاطبان يوسف:
The first meaning:
“Interpretation,” which is clarifying speech by mentioning its intended meaning. An example of this is Allah’s statement about the two prisoners addressing Yusuf:
{نبئنا بتأويله}.
“Inform us of its interpretation” (Surah Yusuf, verse 36).
وقول النبي -صلى الله عليه وسلم- لابن عباس -رضي الله عنهما-:
Another example is the Prophet’s—peace and blessings be upon him—supplication for Ibn Abbas—may Allah be pleased with both of them:
“اللهم فقهه في الدين، وعلمه التأويل”.
“O Allah, grant him understanding in religion and teach him ta’wil.”
وسبق قول ابن عباس -رضي الله عنهما-:
It was also narrated from Ibn Abbas—may Allah be pleased with them both:
“أنا من الراسخين في العلم الذين يعلمون تأويله”.
“I am among those firmly grounded in knowledge who know its interpretation.”
ومنه قول ابن جرير وغيره من المفسرين :
Furthermore, commentators like Ibn Jarir often said:
“تأويل قوله تعالى:”
“The interpretation of Allah’s statement…”
أي: تفسيره. والتأويل بهذا المعنى معلوم لأهل العلم.
Meaning its explanation. Ta’wil in this sense is well-known among scholars.
المعنى الثاني: مآل الكلام إلى حقيقته، فإن كان خبرًا فتأويله نفس حقيقة المخبر عنه، وذلك في حق الله كنْه ذاته وصفاته التي لا يعلمها غيره، وإن كان طلبًا فتأويله امتثال المطلوب.
The second meaning:
The ultimate reality of speech. If it is information, its ta’wil is the reality of the reported matter. In relation to Allah, this includes the essence of His being and attributes, which none but He knows. If it is a command, its ta’wil is compliance with what is commanded.
مثال الخبر: قوله تعالى :
An example of information is Allah’s statement:
{هل ينظرون إلا تأويله}.
“Are they waiting for anything but its interpretation?” (Surah Al-A’raf, verse 53).
أي: ما ينتظر هؤلاء المكذبون إلا وقوع حقيقة ما أخبروا به من البعث والجزاء،
That is, the deniers are only waiting for the realization of the truth of what they have been informed about resurrection and recompense.
ومنه قوله تعالى عن يوسف :
Another example is the saying of Allah about Yusuf:
{هذا تأويل رؤياي من قبل قد جعلها ربي حقًّا}.
“This is the interpretation of my dream from before. My Lord has made it a reality” (Surah Yusuf, Ayah 100).
ومثال الطلب: قول عائشة -رضي الله عنها- :
An example of a command is the statement of Aisha—may Allah be pleased with her:
“كان النبي -صلى الله عليه وسلم- يكثر أن يقول في ركوعه وسجوده: سبحانك اللهم ربنا وبحمدك، اللهم اغفر لي. يتأول القرآن”
The Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—would often say in his bowing and prostration: Subhanakallahumma Rabbana wabihamdika, Allahummaghfir li. He was interpreting the Quran.”
أي: يمتثل ما أمره الله به في قوله :
That is, he was fulfilling what Allah commanded him in His saying:
{إذا جاء نصر الله والفتح * ورأيت الناس يدخلون في دين الله أفواجًا * فسبح بحمد ربك واستغفره إنه كان توابًا}
“When the victory of Allah has come and the conquest. And you see the people entering into the religion of Allah in multitudes. Then exalt [Him] with praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of Repentance” (Surah An-Nasr, Ayahs 1-3).
. وتقول: فلان لا يتعامل بالربا يتأول قول الله تعالى:
Another example: *“So-and-so does not engage in usury because he interprets the saying of Allah Ta’ala:
{وأحل الله البيع وحرم الربا}.
Allah has permitted trade and prohibited usury” (Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 275).
والتأويل بهذا المعنى مجهول حتى يقع فيدرك واقعًا.
And interpretation in this sense is unknown until it occurs, so it can be understood in reality.
To be continued in the next part, in shaa Allah
Source: IslamWeb
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