CLASSIFICATION OF QURANIC VERSES INTERPRETED DISPUTATIOUSLY

Abstract

This article examines the phenomenon of the disputatious or misinterpretation 
of Quranic verses by deviant movements and extremist groups throughout Islamic history 
and in the contemporary era. The study identifies the principal causes of misinterpretation 
including religious illiteracy, malicious ideological intent, and hyper-literalism and 
classifies the most commonly misused categories of Quranic verses. Specific cases 
are analysed: the use of Surah Ali ‘Imran 3:104 by Hizb ut-Tahrir to justify a political 
movement; the use of Surah an-Najm 53:39 to deny the transmission of spiritual reward 
to the deceased; the use of Surah al-An’am 6:57 and al-Ma’idah 5:44 by Kharijite-
inspired groups to condemn modern governance as unbelief; and the exploitation of 
verses on jihad, emigration (hijrah), and relations with non-Muslims to incite violence 
and social division. For each case, the article presents the scholarly response grounded 
in the classical methodology of tafsir, the reasons for revelation (asbab al-nuzul), and 
the consensus of Ahl al-Sunnah. The article concludes that countering misinterpretation 
requires the promotion of methodologically rigorous exegesis and the transmission of 
the classical scholarly tradition to new generations.