# Can old interpretations of the Quran be revisited, and what role does reason play?

*Closing: reason has primacy, and interpretations may be revisited*

- URL: https://muftiabulayth.org/r/smoocevigde/s/11/
- Date: 2019-11-03 · Kind: lesson · Transcript tier: machine · Recording: A Response to Yasir Qadhi on Miracles | Mufti Abu Layth (46:59–48:46)
- Status: general teaching
- Watch from the start of the segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMOOcEVIGDE&t=2819s
- Recording page: https://muftiabulayth.org/r/smoocevigde/

**Topics:** Reason and revelation; How to read the Quran; Exchanges with Yasir Qadhi

**Summary (not a quotation; machine-made, unchecked):** Mufti Abu Layth says long-standing interpretations that are not the Quran's clear expression may be revisited and that reason has primacy, but one must not condemn others for doing what one does oneself.

**Checked position (checked by two independent reviews, not by the channel):** Mufti Abu Layth says the voice of reason is always paramount and that he gives it primacy, because through it one can understand that the deen of Islam holds true.

**Evidence, his words at 46:59:** “and yes reason the voice of reason is always paramount and I do give primacy to it because through it we can understand that the deen of islam has validity that is to us it holds true” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMOOcEVIGDE&t=2819s)

## Longer summary

Wrapping up, Mufti Abu Layth clarifies that he does hold that certain interpretations which have existed for hundreds of years need to be revisited, because they are an interpretation by certain people rather than the clear expression of the Quran, and that several great scholars of recent times have said so. He says the voice of reason is always paramount and that he gives it primacy, because through it one understands that the deen of Islam is valid and holds true. What he will not do, he says, is reinterpret things himself while calling others deviants for doing the same, which he calls a reflection of a fanatic past of excommunicating people, now expelling them from mainstream Islam instead. He then signs off.

## Sources and names cited

- aql (reason)
- deen

## Transcript (machine tier, 46:59–48:46)

[46:20] firm metaphorical spur right you know and how far is the Apple full from the tree so so these things you know it's interesting how these people assume such a lofty position in Islam and the dictate to others and so yeah so I hope so these are some of my thoughts people I know I kind of went on for a while whoa is that the time guys let's wrap this up it's been awesome I hope that some food for thought I want to clarify that look yes I do feel that there are certain interpretations that have

[46:58] existed for hundreds of years I'm not the only one several great scholars of our recent times have said they need to be revisited because they're not the clear expression of the Quran they were an interpretation by certain people and yes reason the voice of reason is always paramount and I do give primacy to it because through it we can understand that the deen of islam has validity that is to us it holds true and I'm not the only one that says it does does this but what I won't do is oh I interpret things but when you have one interpretation

[47:38] call you a deviant and then but my own I kind of say oh but this is totally fine I'm doing this but you when you interpret you leave the fold of mainstream Islam which is just a reflective of that fanatic past you know that fanatic extremist past of of excommunicating people chucking them out of the religion or but now you're not chucking them out the religion you're just chucking them out of mainstream Islam not that it was your dad's Deen to begin with

[48:12] anyway people as always it's been an absolute none I think it's an overall I'm not sure how but it is a rule if you type that in aro you are it should bring it up hopefully on YouTube or Google people let's call it call it a wrap with that take very good care of yourselves remember mean you're kind of us assalamu alaikum warahmatullah to allah oberek are two people over now salam aleikum

## Cite

Mufti Abu Layth Archive, segment sMOOcEVIGDE/s/11. https://muftiabulayth.org/r/smoocevigde/s/11/

Not a fatwa: these answers were given to specific people at specific times. Ask a qualified scholar about your own situation.