“What is the difference between tadabbur and tafsir?”

There is a lot of confusion around what exactly is meant by reflecting or pondering on the Quran, which in Arabic is mostly called TADABBUR.

We know that it isn’t the same as TAFSIR, which is the science of explaining the Quran’s meanings. There is no ayah in the Quran that calls on all people to do tafsir, but there are several that emphasize the centrality of tadabbur.

“Who should reflect on the Quran?”

Reflection is for everyone, from the greatest scholar to you and me. It is a mode of receiving the Quran mindfully and heartfully, allowing its message to impact us.

It is not about “What does the Quran mean” but rather

“What does this mean TO ME?”

“What does it mean FOR ME?””

“What will I discover when I reflect?”

Reflection is to start at the surface of the ayah and then dive deeper. At the same time, it means diving into our own selves. In both directions, we are going to discover realities that we might even have known before, but needed to appreciate and remember.

This is an act of faithfulness which starts by absolute conviction that these are the words of my Creator, my Master and Guide. There is no crookedness in His speech, and nothing is there without perfect wisdom.

“There is no crookedness in His speech, and nothing is there without perfect wisdom.” Dr. Sohaib Saeed

“What if I am not good at reflecting?”

“Had we sent down this Recital upon a mountain, you would have seen it HUMBLED and CRUMBLED…” (Quran 59:21)

Read a nice reflection on this ayah:

“Fake it 'til you Make it” [quranreflect.com/posts/8350

To humble ourselves and allow ourselves to be reshaped by the Revelation, we need to develop this skill of reflection. It’s not just a case of being born with it: it is learning literacy, but not the kind that focuses on letters and sounds.

“To humble ourselves and allow ourselves to be reshaped by the Revelation, we need to develop this skill of reflection. It’s not just a case of being born with it: it is learning literacy, but not the kind that focuses on letters and sounds.” Dr. Sohaib Saeed

No, we will be FOCUSING on meanings and implications, and this course will summarize the key skills for you in the form of Five Lenses. Once you know how to use them, you can start at the most basic level and work your way up.

“What are the Lenses?”

The Lenses are:

Wording

Quranic Worlds

Personal Experience

Connections

General Lessons

But before we get to these, there is something very important to cover in the next lesson… so stay with us.