Quran-only litmus test

Having spoken to someone, via an email exchange, on a matter totally unrelated to this topic, I wrote a tiny litmus test that we can use to identify whether someone is leaning towards a Quran-only or Quranist approach when learning about Islam, or when formulating their logic around the subject.

The idea is to ask them about something that is not explicit in the Quran, for instance, the Miʿraj. The Israʾ is mentioned explicitly, so clarify whether they believe in the Miʿraj or not.

Depending on how they answer, you can get a clearer sense not only of their position on the subject, but also of the way they approach Islamic knowledge more broadly.

Then follow up by asking which of these two statements comes closest to their belief system:

a. Something may not be in the Quran, but it comes from other Islamic sources, which we also accept. Or

b. It is not in the Quran, so wherever else it comes from is irrelevant.

So what's the point?

If your belief stems from the idea that if something is not in the Quran, then it's not relevant to you, you've essentially eliminated the Prophet ﷺ, who is the actual bringer of the Quran and an authority for Islamic teaching beyond it. You've also eliminated the means, mode and method of the transmission of the Quran from him ﷺ to essentially you. And that isn't just flawed, it's dangerous.

It also means you're formulating your own narrative, which, given the body of Islamic knowledge, is virtually impossible without formal learning.