Q. Copies of the Qur’an printed in all countries use certain markings to indicate where one should stop, and where it is better not to stop. However, there are differences in the placement of these markings in copies printed in different countries. For example, in the first surah, the mark indicating no pause is placed at the end of verses 2, 3 and 4, in copies printed in Pakistan, whereas the copies printed here in Saudi Arabia do not show this mark at these places. Please explain.
by
Abu Aqeelah
A. These markings of where one can or cannot pause as we are reading the Qur’an are not part of the Qur’an. They are simply markings placed by scholars and publishers of copies of the Qur’an according to meaning. They place markings indicating that a pause is ‘disallowed, possible though not recommended, possible, preferable, or necessary’. This means that these markings are the work of certain people and not based on any order from God or the Prophet (peace be upon him).
There are two rules to consider in this connection. The first is that ‘there is no place in the Qur’an where a pause is obligatory or forbidden unless there is a compelling reason’. The second is that ‘the Prophet used to stop at the end of every verse’. A compelling reason means an alteration of the meaning in an unacceptable way. To give an example: if you are reading the verse that says: ‘Know, then, that there is no deity other than God’, you cannot stop after the word ‘deity’, because such a pause gives anyone listening the wrong impression that the Qur’an denies God’s existence. There are a few places like that in the Qur’an. Otherwise, the best reading of the Qur’an is that which chooses the places to stop according to meaning, making every utterance complete in meaning. The second rule is clear and does not need any explanation.
In the example you have given, the Pakistani copies place the mark disallowing a pause at these verses because the meaning is carried on, adding certain attributes of God. The Saudi copies, and most others, do not indicate the same because these are verse endings, and the second rule tells us that a pause at the end of a verse is perfectly permissible. There are only one or two verses in the Qur’an where it is preferable to carry on into the next verse without a pause at the end of the verse. Otherwise, you can stop at every verse end.
Q. The third verse of Surah 24 says that an adulterer must not marry anyone other than an adulteress or an unbeliever. How can they search for someone of the same type of behavior, telling them of their own conduct?
Abu Aqeelah
A. The verse in question may be translated as follows: “The adulterer couples with none other than an adulteress or an idolatress; and with the adulteress couples none other than an adulterer or an idolater. This is forbidden to the believers.” (24: 3) The verse does not give an order to adulterers concerning what marriage partners they should seek. Rather, it shows the repugnant nature of their action and makes it clear that marrying such people is not allowed for believers. It is not permissible to marry a habitual adulterer unless that person sincerely repents first and declares his or her intention to lead a clean and virtuous life, in accordance with Islamic teachings.
source: The Arab News
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