Quran A Criterion for Assessment
Any action or word, spoken or written, should be assessed and evaluated with the Holy Book.
The Infallible Imams (AS) have taught us that the Quran should be our criterion. Every Hadith or word we hear or read, we should compare it to the Quran, if it is based on the teachings of the Holy Book, we will accept it. Otherwise, we will reject it.
Not just words and statements, but every value should be assessed based on the Quran.
We should get closer to the Quran and seek answers to our questions from it. The Quran’s answers and arguments are very beautiful.
In addition to knowledge and Taqwa (God-fearing), the Quran points to other criteria that should be taken into account.
I was asked why one should say prayers. I said: The Quran answers this question: “O people, worship your Lord who has created you …” (Verse 21 of Surah Al-Baqarah) Why should we worship God? Because He has created us. So worshipping is an act of gratefulness.
In another verse, the Quraysh Tribe is asked to worship God because He saved them from hunger and secured them from fear: “So let them worship the Lord of this House. Who feeds them against hunger and gives them security against fear.” (Verses 3 and 4 of Surah Quraysh)
The Quran also says: “Establish worship for My remembrance,” (Verse 14 of Surah Taha) and elsewhere it says: “Remembrance of God certainly brings comfort to all hearts.” (Verse 28 of Surah Ar-Ra’ad)
The Quran is “the Book which clarifies all matters.” (Verse 89 of Surah An-Nahl) The Quran that clarifies everything clarifies itself, too. So the best interpreter of the Quran is the Holy Book itself and then Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS).
