Al-Quran is easy to be understood (part 1)

Every Muslim has a dream to understand Quran which is considered to be the last revelation from God. By understanding Quran, he or she is able to follow its guidance in order to seek the real happiness either in this real world of in the hereafter. However, many Muslims feel that the Quran only could be understood by certain people who master the Arabic language and know about Tafsir method (exegetic).

While it is undeniable that those who learn Shariah science can understand Quran in a better or easier way, all of the Muslims, even non-Muslims also have the opportunity to discover this amazing sacred book. There are a few ways and techniques can help them to extract the message of Quran, but before that they have to change a few misunderstanding about this book.

1. Al-Quran is difficult

Many Muslims argue that the Quran is difficult because it is revealed in Arabic, which is considered to be the most complicated language in the world. Moreover, as the Quran is the words of Allah who declared himself as the Al-Hakim (Wisdom of the All Wise), surely to understand his messages needs the high level of intellect.

In fact, Allah has already mentioned in the Quran that this book has been simplified:-

And We have certainly made the Qur'an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember? ( Al-Qamar: 17)

Interestingly, this versus is repeated in four time indicating that it is a serious declaration from Allah. Even Arabic is claimed to be the difficult language, it is possible for Allah to make Quran easy to be understood by people. In fact, genius is an ability to reduce the complicated and make it simple and it is not rare when Allah chose the complicated language for his book and makes it easy to be understood.

2. Trying to understand Quran might lead to astray.

Another misunderstanding is some Muslims afraid to understand Quran alone as they think interpreting Quran might go astray, especially without mastering Arabic and not knowing about Tafsir methods. Actually, it is a rare notion as the main characteristic of the Quran is the book of guidance. Allah said:-

The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion (Al-Baqarah: 185)

If Allah declares his book to be the best and clear guidance, how can Muslims believe trying to understand its might get lost. More surprisingly, since its first revelation until now, this book has witnessed the overwhelming people choose Islam by reading it. Thus, how can some Muslims look on the negative side? In addition, not all ayat in Quran need the special interpretation. Most of them just can be understood by reading the translation.

The process to understand Quran is known as tadabbur. It consists in two steps: Firstly, understanding the versus by looking at the translation, referring the Tafsir books or asking the expert in Quran field. Secondly,  reflecting the versus into our life. The main purpose of tadabbur is not just to understand but to take the lesson. While tafsir needs special methods and it can just be exercised by ahlul tafsir ( the specialist in tafsir field) , tadaddur must be done by all of Muslims.