The Use of the Style of Tafsīr Al-Rāı̇’y (Interpretation Methodology) in Tafsīr Ṣīrāt al-Jīn՚ān fī Tafsīr al Qur’ān

Abstract

Exegesis is the science of clarification of the Qur’ān, the Holy Scripture of Islam. Duration of the era of the Holy Prophet PBUH, no other source for exegesis of the Qur’ānic revelations was known by the Muslim Ummah. But after the Holy Prophet PBUH, commentaries were needed because the verses, when it achieved in written, needed historical order in the arrangement of the Surah, suffered from difficulty in text and meaning. Various Muslims in the early time sought to explain the Qurʾān on the basis of pure individual assumption known as Tafsīr Bil Al-Rāı̇’y and such explanation, though generally disapproved, has persisted down to the present time. Some clarified Qurʾānic passages using stories drawn from Christian and especially from Jewish sources i.e. Isrāʾīliayyāt. With the passage of time this science developed a number of methods and forms of its own. Numerous sectarian groups interpreted the Qurʾān to develop their own aberrant theological viewpoints; most noteworthy among them were the Muʿtazilah, or rationalists, who believed that the Qurʾān's interpretation (Taʾwīl) must conform to reason. Ta’wīl was a discipline that differed greatly from a merely exterior analysis and was also practiced by Sufis (Muslim mystics) with esoteric tendencies. The basic and remarkable commentary compiled by the Imām al-Ṭabarī assembled all the traditional scholarship that had been produced until his time. This important work is continue till today and will remain till the day after. Tafsīr "Ṣirāt al-Jinān fī Tafsīr al-Qur’ān" is one of them. This Tafsīr is a broad commentary and it seems to be a beautiful combination of Tafsīr Bil-Ma’thūr and Tafsīr al-Rāi’y. This commentary is also comprehensive commentary in the light of the beliefs of the Muslims, the characteristics of the religion of Islam, the ideologies and practices of the Ahl al-Sunnah, in the light of the Holy Qur’ān and Ḥadīth, the sayings of the Companions, followers and Ijtihādi opinions of the prominent religious leaders. In this research article, the Style of Qur’ānic Exegesis of Tafsīr al-Rāi’y is evident in the context of several Ayah of this noticeable Tafsīr. It covers all the characteristics of this Tafsīr related to Tafsīr al-Rāi’y.