Critical Studies on the Quranic Exegesis

Critical Studies on the Quranic Exegesis

Deciphering Muḥkam and Mutashābih Based on the Qur'ān Discourse

Document Type : Original article

Author
Rouhollah Najafi
Associate Professor of the Qur'anic and Hadith Sciences, Khwarazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
The current research presents a new theory with the aim of understanding the seventh verse of Surah Al-Imran and unraveling the meaning of " Decisive Verses " and " Ambiguous Verses ". This theory is based on the general discourse of the Qurʾān and the historical context of revelation. According to this theory, the meaning of "verses" is not the divisions of the surahs of the Qurʾān, but rather the instructive and warning signs of the Qurʾān. "Muḥkam" means that which has been decreed and fulfilled and "Mutashḥbih" means that which is similar to "Muḥkam". "Heavenly Original Scripture (Umm al-Kitāb)" means the central core of the Qurʾān around which the rest of the Qurʾān is formed. The Qurʾān is a warning letter and its realized lessons are the foundation and center of this letter. In the position of warring with the Messenger of Islam, the misguided ones requested the occurrence of the punishments promised in the Qurʾān and the realization of lessons similar to the lessons of the previous nations. In this regard, "Sedition" means suffering from torment and "Tawil Qurʾān" means its end. Knowing the end of the Qurʾān, which is assigned to God, is the knowledge of when and how the promises of the Qurʾān will be fulfilled in the future.
Keywords
Verse
Decisive Verses (Muḥkam)
Ambiguous Verses (Mutashābih)
Sedition
Allegorical Interpretation
Understanding the Qurʾān

Subjects

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Critical Studies on the Quranic Exegesis
Volume 4, Issue 1 - Serial Number 7
September 2023
Pages 199-222

  • Receive Date 09 January 2024
  • Revise Date 30 January 2024
  • Accept Date 31 January 2024