How Some Muslim Scholars Engage in Tahrif—Distortion or Alteration— in the Quran?

By V.A. Mohamad Ashrof, New Age Islam 21 November 2024 The Quran is revered as the unaltered and eternal word of God, preserved in its exact form since its revelation over 1,400 years ago. However, while the physical text remains intact, the concept of Tahrif—distortion or alteration—is not limited to physical tampering. In an intellectual and interpretive sense, Tahrif can occur when individuals or groups manipulate the meanings of Quranic verses, either intentionally or unintentionally, to serve sectarian, ideological, or personal agendas. This phenomenon, though subtle, has far-reaching consequences for the unity, understanding, and moral compass of the Muslim community. The Quran warns against deliberate scriptural alteration (Q. 4:46). Among Muslims, interpretive distortion (Tahrif) occurs when verses are decontextualized, misrepresented, or selectively emphasized, often driven by sectarian biases, political exploitation, patriarchal objectives, and economic and social agendas with vested interests. The Quran's call to unity (Q. 3:103) is compromised when sectarian groups exploit specific verses to advance their theological agendas, undermining Muslim community cohesion. By disregarding context and selectively interpreting verses on leadership (Imamah) and divine justice (Adl), they create divisive 'echo chambers'. To foster harmony and collective strength, promoting inclusive, context-based interpretations is crucial. This approach recognizes the Quran's emphasis on unity, cooperation, and mutual respect among all Muslims and faith groups (Q.49:10, 23:52, 21:92-93). Throughout history, political leaders have used Quranic verses to justify power grabs, wars, or oppressive policies. This kind of Tahrif reduces the Quran from a divine guide to a 'rubber stamp' for tyranny. For instance, some rulers invoked the Quran’s references to obedience to authority (Q. 4:59) to suppress dissent, ignoring the verse's broader context of justice and accountability. Gender-related verses have often been misinterpreted to sustain patriarchal structures, limiting women’s roles in society and family. Such distortions overlook the Quran's revolutionary ethos of gender equity and empowerment (Q. 33:35, 9:71, 4:32 etc.) For instance, the verse on Qawwamah (Q.4:34) is frequently read in isolation, ignoring its nuanced guidance on mutual responsibility and the Prophet's example of compassion in marital relations. Treating the Quran as a static legal code rather than a dynamic moral guide risks misapplying its principles in modern contexts. This approach often ignores the historical, linguistic, and situational contexts of verses, turning the Quran into a "rigid rulebook" rather than a living guide for all times. At times, interpretations of Quranic verses on wealth distribution, labour, and social justice have been diluted to favour elite interests, undermining the Quran’s emphasis on equity and compassion (Q. 59:7). The Quran, described as 'a healing and mercy for believers' (Q.17:82), provides timeless and universal guidance. However, interpretive distortions (Tahrif) by scholars and factions risk transforming this divine gift into a source of division, manipulation, and conflict. The consequences of distorted Quranic meanings are far-reaching, affecting Muslim societies in profound ways: fragmenting the community, eroding justice, undermining credibility, and inadvertently fuelling Islamophobia. Misinterpretations fuel sectarian divides, weakening the collective strength of the Muslim community. Manipulated readings can justify social, political, or economic injustices, contradicting the Quran's core ethos of fairness. When the Quran is misused, it alienates both Muslims and non-Muslims, diminishing its universal appeal as a source of guidance. Guidelines to Prevent Tahrif include commitment to contextual integrity, engagement with diverse scholarships, sense of accountability and dialogue, and adherence to universal Quranic values of justice, democracy, secularism, compassion and diversity. Interpreters must consider the Quran's linguistic, historical, and cultural context to preserve its intended meanings. For example, the socio-political conditions of Mecca and Medina during the Prophet’s time provide critical insights into the situational and universal aspects of its message. The Quran must be read as a unified text, where individual verses are understood in light of its overarching themes—justice, mercy, and human dignity. Cherry-picking verses risks "missing the forest for the trees." The Islamic tradition includes a wide range of interpretive methodologies, from rationalist (Aql) to textualist (Naql) approaches. Respecting this diversity can safeguard against narrow readings. Scholars and interpreters should embrace open dialogue and intellectual humility, treating the Quran not as a tool for division but as a "mirror of unity" that reflects humanity’s shared ethical values. The Quran’s timeless principles—justice, compassion, and equity—must serve as a "compass" for interpretation, ensuring relevance and ethical alignment across eras. The Quran, described as a "healing and mercy for believers" (Q.17:82), offers guidance that transcends time and culture. However, the interpretive Tahrif by scholars and various factions risk turning this divine gift into a source of division and manipulation. The responsibility lies with the Ummah—scholars and laypeople alike—to approach the Quran with intellectual rigor, sincerity, and a commitment to its universal values. By doing so, Muslims can safeguard the Quran’s integrity and ensure its transformative message continues to illuminate humanity’s path, like a "lamp in the darkness." ----- V.A. Mohamad Ashrof is an independent Indian scholar of Islamic humanism. He writes with a passion for developing Quranic hermeneutics that prioritize human well-being, peace, and progress. His work inspires the creation of a just society, fosters critical thinking, and promotes inclusive discourse and peaceful coexistence. 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