Comparative Studies of Quran

Comparative Studies of Quran

Comparative Study of the Aspects of the Qur'an’s Miraculousness from the Perspectives of Allameh Tabataba'i and Rashid Rida

Document Type : Original

Authors
1 Assistant Professor of Arabic Language and Literature, University of Holy Qur'an Sciences and Education
2 Holy Quran University of Sciences and Education, Qom, Iran
10.22034/csq.2026.551995.1598
Abstract
Understanding interpreters’ views on the miraculousness (i'jaz) of the Qur'an and its dimensions plays an important role in comprehending their exegetical opinions. The main issue of this research is to understand the viewpoints of Allameh Tabataba'i in Tafsir al-Mizan and Rashid Rida in Tafsir al-Manar regarding the aspects of the Qur'an’s miraculousness, and the theoretical similarities and differences between these two exegetes concerning the definition of miracle and the various facets of i'jaz. This study was carried out using a descriptive-analytical method with a comparative approach. The findings indicate that both exegetes consider the miraculousness of the Qur'an to be intrinsic and rooted in its prophetic revelation as well as in the words and meanings of the Qur'an itself. Both believe in the miracle of the Qur'anic wording and meaning, and they identify the aspects of miraculousness as rhetorical (expressive) miracle, content-related miracle (doctrinal and scientific miraculousness), the absence of contradiction among verses, harmony with reason, and reports of the unseen. The Prophet’s illiteracy (ummiyyah) is also presented by both as one aspect of the Qur'an’s miraculousness; however, their explanations of this aspect differ. Al-Manar does not list the Prophet’s illiteracy as an independent aspect, but considers it as complementing other facets of miraculousness. In contrast, al-Mizan regards the challenge to an illiterate individual as an independent aspect of miraculousness. Both exegetes count agreement with confirmed empirical science among the aspects of miraculousness; Rashid Rida, at times influenced by scientism,

Subjects



Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 06 May 2026

  • Receive Date 08 October 2025
  • Revise Date 16 December 2025
  • Accept Date 07 February 2026
  • Publish Date 06 May 2026