Comparative Studies of Quran

Comparative Studies of Quran

A Comparative Study of the Structural Exegesis of the Holy Qur'an based on the opinions of Al-Bastānī and Allamah Ṭabāṭabāī: A Case Study of Surah Yasin

Document Type : Original

Authors
Seifali Zahedifar 1
Ameneh Mosavi Shajari 2
Sayyed Majid Nabavi 3
1 Associate Professor, Department of Qur'anic and Hadith Sciences, Shahid Madani University of Azerbaijan, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Tabriz, Iran
2 PhD in Arabic Language and Literature, Shahid Madani University of Azerbaijan, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Tabriz, Iran
3 PhD in Qur'an and Hadith Sciences, Arak University, Arak, Iran
10.22034/csq.2024.420622.1342
Abstract
A group of Qur’anic exegetes believes that each Chapter of the Qur'an possesses its own specific message, indicating a significant difference between one Chapter to the others. Maḥmūd Al-Bastānī, an Iraqi scholar, is among those who have interpreted the Qur'an from this perspective. He analyzes and interprets “Surah Yasin” in this manner, asserting that the central message and focus of this Surah is its tenth verse: “It is the same to them whether you warn them or do not warn them, they will not have faith”. Therefore, he interprets all the verses of “Surah Yasin” in this context. This noble verse indicates a central message: that the disbelievers have reached such a degree of unawareness that the warning of the Messenger of God does not affect them. He believes that “Surah Yasin” expands upon and elaborates on this noble verse. Al-Bastānī expounds his views using literary and rhetorical mechanisms. In contrast, Allamah Ṭabāṭabāī introduces the overall purpose of each Surah at the beginning of his commentary and bases his interpretation on it. Unlike Al-Bastānī, he believes that “Surah Yasin” addresses fundamental beliefs, sequentially outlining three principles: Prophethood, Monotheism, and Resurrection. It is clear that the differing viewpoints of these two Qur’anic exegetes regarding the message and structure of the Surah have led to variations in their interpretations of the Qur'anic verses. This research employs a descriptive-analytical method to explore and examine the perspectives of Al-Bastānī and Allamah Ṭabāṭabāī concerning the structure of “Surah Yasin” and its impact on the interpretation of this Surah, aiming to articulate the features and distinctions of each.
Keywords
Surah objective
Surah Yasin
Structural exegesis
Bastānī
Ṭabāṭabāī

Subjects

Glorious Qur’an
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Comparative Studies of Quran
Volume 9, Issue 1 - Serial Number 17
September 2024
Pages 10-33

  • Receive Date 13 October 2023
  • Revise Date 27 September 2024
  • Accept Date 27 September 2024
  • Publish Date 22 August 2024