Why Do Some Understand What Others Cannot? Keys to the Correct Understanding of Texts:

A Truth That Cannot Be Denied

It is an undeniable fact that a single statement may be heard by dozens of people, yet some will understand it with precise accuracy, while for others, it passes by like a fleeting breeze, leaving no trace behind. In fact, two people might read the very same text: one extracts treasures of meaning and gems of benefit from it, while the other gains only a superficial understanding that never goes beyond the outer shell of the words.

This massive disparity in understanding is not a random coincidence, nor is it merely "luck" granted to some and withheld from others. More importantly, it is not evidence of a flaw in the text itself—provided the text is clear in its expression and firm in its meaning. Rather, it is the natural result of the varying degrees to which people possess the means of understanding and the keys to perception.

A single text may be read by a deeply rooted scholar, who derives subtle nuances and fine details from it. A person lacking knowledge might read the same text and capture only the simplest, most obvious meanings. A fair-minded person will read it and understand it correctly, just as the author intended; meanwhile, a person driven by personal whims might project meanings onto it that it cannot bear, twisting it away from the speaker’s intent to suit their own desires.

What creates this great gap? What are the real, objective reasons that bring some people closer to a correct understanding while leaving others miles away?

The First Reason: Closeness to the Language of the Text

It is a self-evident truth that understanding any text depends—first and foremost—on knowing the language in which it was written. The more a person knows the language and masters its styles, the more capable they are of understanding a text correctly and precisely.

By "knowing the language," we do not mean simply memorizing the definitions of words from dictionaries—though that is an essential foundation. The meaning is deeper and more comprehensive: it involves knowing the methods of expression used by the native speakers of that language, the speech patterns they are accustomed to, their linguistic conventions, and their habits in using certain phrases.

For example, the Arabs say, "So-and-so has a long hand." They do not mean that his physical arm is long; rather, they mean he is generous and giving. They also say, "So-and-so is light-shadowed." They do not mean his shadow weighs very little; they mean he is pleasant company and beloved by hearts. Someone who does not know these styles would stop at the literal words, understand the speech only superficially, and fall into a grave error regarding the intended meaning.

Similarly, every language has its own unique methods for negation and affirmation, praise and criticism, directness and allusion, and general versus restricted meanings. One who knows and is immersed in these styles will achieve a correct understanding and strike upon the intended meaning. One who is ignorant of them will fall into error, even if they know the meanings of individual words.

For this reason, we find that native speakers are generally more capable of understanding their own texts and literature than foreigners. A child of the language, who was raised on it and grew up with it, perceives through intuition and natural instinct what others might need long study and exhausting effort to grasp—and they may never truly grasp it, no matter how hard they try.

This is observable in every time and place: an Englishman understands Shakespeare better than an Arab who has mastered English and spent a lifetime learning it; a Frenchman understands French literature and the styles of its writers more deeply than a learned foreigner, and so it is with every language and its people.

In fact, it goes even further: even among native speakers of the same language, there is a great disparity in understanding. A scholar deeply versed in the language—who has read the collections of poets and the books of literary masters, associated with eloquent speakers, and practiced writing—perceives subtle meanings, delicate hints, and hidden implications that a simple person, who only knows enough of the language for daily needs, cannot perceive.

A person who has read extensively, familiarized themselves with the expressions of the eloquent, and immersed themselves in their texts will understand a sophisticated text faster and more accurately than someone who has read very little or is only used to weak, broken language. Someone who grew up in an environment that cares for the language, preserves its eloquence, and respects its rules is closer to a correct understanding than someone who grew up in an environment that mixes formal language with slang or allows weak dialects to dominate.

Therefore, closeness to a language has many levels and ranks. A person’s level of understanding of written texts corresponds directly to their degree of closeness to and mastery of the language.

The Second Reason: Knowledge of Context and Circumstances

Speech cannot be understood correctly or precisely if it is read in isolation from its context or the circumstances and surroundings in which it was uttered. A single sentence—even a single word—can have completely different, or even opposite, meanings depending on the context and the situation.

Take, for example, this sentence: If a father says to his son, "You are a man!" This could be praise and commendation if said after the son showed courage. Yet, it could also be sarcasm and mockery if said after the son cried over something trivial. It could also be motivation and an encouragement to take responsibility if said while assigning him a new task that requires maturity.

The sentence is the same and the words are the same, but the meaning changes radically when the context changes!

Let us take an example closer to our modern reality: mobile phone messages. These are often misunderstood due to a lack of context. If a friend sends you one word, "Great!", it could be an expression of approval and admiration for what you said. On the other hand, it could be sarcasm if what you said was silly or illogical. If a wife sends a message to her husband saying, "Stay late as long as you like," she might be angry, or she might be understanding of his work circumstances and reassuring him that she won't be upset.

Even in general news: If you read a headline in a newspaper saying, "The Government is Lifting Subsidies," you cannot judge whether this is good or bad news, or whether it deserves protest or welcome, until you know the details of the context. Subsidies on what exactly? What are the economic circumstances of the country? What are the proposed alternatives? Lifting a subsidy on a harmful product like tobacco might be a praiseworthy move that deserves support, while lifting it from a basic staple like bread might harm the poor and deserve opposition.

Therefore, he who knows the context and circumstances understands the intent correctly, while he who takes speech in isolation from its environment and context misunderstands it and deviates from the intended meaning. This is why problems and disputes often arise among people—due to a wrong understanding of words spoken in a specific context but taken in a different way.

Thus, the fixed rule that is not disputed is that people vary in their understanding of a text based on their knowledge of its context and circumstances. One who lived through an event and witnessed it personally understands what was said during it better than someone who only heard about it from afar. One who was contemporary to a text and was close to its time and place knows its true meaning better than someone who comes centuries later. The closer a person is to the circumstances of the text—in terms of time, place, and situation—the closer they are to hitting the intended meaning and the further they are from error and deviation.

The Third Reason: Detailed Knowledge of the Author

Knowing the speaker—or writer—along with their nature, style, and objectives, is one of the most important keys to correct understanding. A single word or phrase may carry different meanings depending on who said it and their known methodology or approach.

In daily life, people naturally apply this rule without even realizing it; they understand one another based on personal knowledge of the speaker’s character. A mother understands from a single word spoken by her son—or even from a look in his eyes or the tone of his voice—what a stranger would never grasp. Similarly, a friend perceives from a subtle hint or a passing remark what might be entirely hidden from someone who does not know him well.

The same applies to reading books and written texts. One who knows the author's methodology, unique style, intellectual leanings, and the school of thought to which they belong is better equipped to understand their goals and the intended meaning behind their expressions. Someone reading a satirist known for irony understands that their exaggerations are for mockery, not for literal reporting. Meanwhile, someone reading a precise scholar known for caution knows that every word in their text is "measured on a gold scale," and that every letter has its specific purpose.

If you know a writer leans toward symbolism, you will catch their hints. If you know they are direct and plain-spoken, you will take their words at face value without overcomplicating things by searching for hidden meanings that do not exist. Therefore, it is essential for anyone seeking a correct understanding to learn about the author’s life, their other writings, and the intellectual influences that shaped their thought.

The Fourth Reason: Interest in the Subject and Researching its Details

Interest in a subject opens doors of understanding that remain locked to those who are indifferent. When a doctor reads a medical article in their specialty, they grasp subtle details that an average reader ignores. This isn't just because they know medical terminology, but because their passion for the subject makes them connect information automatically.

Those interested in a subject generally fall into two categories:

The First Type: Those with prior knowledge and a scientific background. They read the text with a "balance" of experience that helps them read between the lines and understand the significance of both what is mentioned and what is omitted.

The Second Type: Those without prior knowledge but who possess a genuine passion and sincere curiosity. Their eagerness leads them to ask about difficult points and research what is hidden until the truths become clear.

The indifferent person, however, passes over the text quickly, like a traveler passing by scenery without looking. They do not stop at nuances or question mysteries. This is why specialists understand the texts of their field better than others; it is not necessarily because they are more intelligent, but because interest generates attention, and attention generates comprehension. If the heart approaches something with interest, it opens to it; if it turns away, it remains closed.

The Fifth Reason: Accompanying the Text and Repeated Reading

A text is exactly like a friend; the longer you spend time with it, the more your knowledge of its nature increases. Every time you revisit it, secrets are revealed that you did not see before.

The first reading gives a general impression.

The second reading reveals details that were missed.

The third reading shows connections between parts of the text that weren't noticed previously.

The secret here is that the human mind, by its nature, cannot absorb everything at once. In each reading, the mind focuses on one aspect and might miss another. Furthermore, the reader’s own state changes; you might read a text while exhausted and lose focus, then read it again while refreshed and understand much more. You might read a text in your youth and understand a certain amount, then return to it years later with more life experience and find meanings you never imagined were there.

For this reason, scholars and educators recommend the "Mudārasah" (the act of studying and reviewing together or repeatedly) of important books. A quick passing glance does not give a text its due. The difference between someone who reads a text once and someone who lives with it is like the difference between a stranger passing in a crowd and a beloved companion of many years.

The Sixth Reason: Eagerness to Understand and Sincere Effort

One who truly desires understanding does not settle for a quick skim. They stop at every point that requires reflection. If they encounter a word they do not know, they search for it in its "Maḍānn" (the places where information is likely to be found, such as reference books). They do not project their own ideas onto the text or rush to judgment.

This type of conscious reading requires real effort—the effort of slow reading, the effort of comparing different parts of the text, and the effort of thinking and connecting meanings. This labor is what eventually bears the fruit of a deep and correct understanding.

Conclusion: Understanding is the Fruit of Causes

These six reasons—mastery of language, awareness of context, knowledge of the author, interest in the subject, repeated reading, and sincere effort—are not separate ideas. They are interconnected and strengthen one another.

Whoever gathers all or most of these causes will be the closest to the correct understanding and the furthest from error. One who lacks them will likely fall into "Inḥirāf" (deviation or straying from the intended meaning). A wise person strives to learn the language of the text, researches its circumstances, and approaches the subject with a sincere heart.

Ultimately, correct understanding is not a stroke of luck granted to some and denied to others; it is the natural result of objective steps. While success comes from Allah first and last, there is no excuse for misunderstanding if the path is clear. As it is said:

“Indeed, Allah does not allow the reward of those who do good to be lost.” [Sūrat al-Kahf: 30]