Mentioning some of the rules and principles of the science of tafsir.

The Shaykh : Therefore, it is one of the principles of tafsir and the rules of the science of tafsir that it is obligatory to interpret the Qur'an by the Qur'an and the Sunnah. I hope you pay attention to this point; it is obligatory to interpret the Qur'an by the Qur'an and the Sunnah. I do not say, as you may read in some books, "It is obligatory to interpret the Qur'an by the Qur'an first, and then by the Sunnah second"; this is a common error, unfortunately, because the Sunnah, as you know, clarifies the Qur'an, it details its generalities, it specifies its universals, it restricts its absolutes, and so on, of clarifications that a Muslim has no way to do without any of them absolutely. Therefore, it is not permissible to interpret the Qur'an by the Qur'an alone, but rather it is obligatory to interpret the Qur'an by the Qur'an and the Sunnah together. Consequently, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said in the previous hadith: ; therefore, every interpreter who wants to interpret a verse of the Qur'an, especially if that verse relates to creed, rulings, or morals and behavior, must combine the Qur'an and the Sunnah. Why? Because a verse in the Qur'an may need clarification from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).