Last time, we touched on the importance of connecting any ayah that we are pondering to those which come right before and after it, and to read it within the whole context of its surah. Now we will consider the broader context of the whole Quran.

“How should I approach the Quran?”

Again, this is common sense: we should look at the Quran as a whole, since we believe it is a single, self-consistent discourse. There are signs within the text that we are supposed to connect its parts, such as a question being found in one surah (chapter), and its answer in another. So, while it pays to give close attention to one ayah by itself, we must balance this with the holistic view.

“while it pays to give close attention to one ayah (verse) by itself, we must balance this with the holistic view.” Dr. Sohaib Saeed

“What is the risk of not having a holistic approach?”

Indeed, this is a common cause of error in reflection (tadabbur), even from popular preachers who observe something about an ayah, but don’t realize that another ayah contradicts their conclusion (while the ayat (verses) themselves don’t contradict)!

“How can observing ‘norms’ or ‘patterns’ in the Quran help me reflect?”

On the positive side, there is much to be gained from familiarity with the “norms” or “patterns” (ʿādāt) of the Quran. When you see something over and over again, you come to expect it, and it helps you contextualize whatever you find. So when you see that an ayah about reward is followed by warning of punishment, you won’t find that surprising because that is extremely frequent. What WILL catch your attention and fuel your reflection, however, is when you find something that seems to go against the norm. Why is it like this, in this specific place? Does it help to look at the immediate context and the surah?

“What WILL catch your attention and fuel your reflection, however, is when you find something that seems to go against the norm.” Dr. Sohaib Saeed