Below are the foundational principles of the methodology followed at Suleymaniye Foundation:
The Method of Discovering the Explanations of the Qur’an Verses
The Grand Qur’an is a self-explanatory Divine Book with a miraculous method that reveals the built-in explanations of all its verses. The detailed meaning of each verse is found within other relevant verses, making it a clear and complete Book that requires no external sources for clarification. The Qur’an itself emphasizes that understanding it fully is a task that can only be undertaken by a group of scholars rather than a single individual.
This method is known as “the Wisdom (al-Hikmah)”. By applying this Wisdom, no one must rely on or defer to individuals who claim exclusive authority to interpret God’s Books. For further details and relevant Qur’anic verses on this science, please visit the following link:
The Science of Discovering the Explanations of the Qur’an Verses (Method of Hikmat)
Nature and Religion
The Qur’an includes the signs (aayah) of God, sent down by Him. When studied correctly, within the framework of the method ordained by God, the interpretations derived from Quranic verses align perfectly with nature, because nature itself consists of the signs (aayah) created by God. Indeed, every creation, including ourselves, is a sign (ayah) of God.
The natural order established by God on Earth is in complete harmony with the commands He has decreed in His Books. God first set this order in place and then sent divine Scriptures as guides to help humanity uphold it. This is the direct connection between creation and religion:
“Set your face directly to this religion, the natural order (fitra) set by God. He has created mankind in compliance with it. There is nothing to replace that which God has created. That is the upright religion, but most people do not know.” (The Romans 30:30)
The Example (Sunnah) of Messenger Muhammad (PBUH)
The Example of Messenger Muhammad (PBUH) is the finest example of the harmony between nature and religion. Allah the Almighty has decreed:
“Surely there is a good example for you in the Messenger of God, for all those who look forward to God and the Last Day, and remember God much.” (Al-Ahzaab/The Allies; 33:21)
The Example (Sunnah) of the Messenger Muhammad (PBUH) was the practical application of the Qur’an. Without understanding the essence of the Qur’an, his practices cannot be fully grasped. Therefore, his life must be interpreted in unity with the Qur’an, and narrations attributed to him (hadith) must be carefully compared with Qur’anic verses before being accepted.
The Qur’an, as the Final Link of the Revelation Chain
God has sent down many Scriptures for people and charged many prophets with the duty of communicating these Scriptures. Their essence was always the same: submission to God, namely “islam”. So, there has been only one religion since the creation of humankind. God calls it “islam” in the Quran, and says that the Quran is the “completion of the religion”. The Qur’an is the final divine Book that completes the revelation chain of the upright religion established by God.
God has sent down numerous Scriptures and appointed many prophets to convey them. Their core message has always been the same: submission to God, namely “islam”. Thus, since the beginning of humanity, there has only been one true religion. In the Qur’an, God calls it “islam” and declares the Qur’an to be the “completion of the religion.” It is the final Divine Book, concluding the chain of revelation for the upright religion established by God.
The Qur’an does not reject or dismiss previous Scriptures but instead confirms them. The Messenger Muhammad (PBUH) engaged with followers of earlier Scriptures by highlighting the common teachings between the Qur’an and those Books, affirming that the Qur’an verifies them. When inviting others to Islam, we must follow his approach.
For further reading on the relationship between divine scriptures, please visit the link below:
The Qur’an as the Final Link of the Revelation Chain
