Dangers of Interpreting Quran Based on Personal Desires
One cannot start interpreting the Quran after only a few years of studying the Arabic language and literature.
Benefiting from the Quran requires a certain level of expertise. It is surprising that some boldly use some verses of the Quran to spread their ideas and thought that may not be compatible with the teachings of the Holy Book. One should be careful not to do Tafsir bil-Ray (interpret the Quran based on his own views).
Here is an example to better realize what Tafsir bil-Ray means: Imagine there is a well that is dry and we pour water into it. Sometimes a verse does not have a special meaning but we attach that meaning to it by our own judgment. This is Tafsir bil-Ray.
The spread of Tafsir bil-Ray could be worrisome. One may take one phrase or verse of the Quran and ignore other verses and come up with an understanding of the phrase or verse that run counter to the teachings of the Holy Book as a whole.
Teaching the Quran should be done under the supervision of a Quran interpreter and scholar who has spent years in studying the Holy Book and related sciences.
It is not acceptable for one to start interpreting the Quran after only a few years of studying the Arabic language and literature.
Such people learn Arabic words and phrases but that is not enough for interpreting the Quran. In order to do that, one needs to have other skills and mastery in other sciences as well.
