A Study of the Interpretive Method of Abu-Bakr-Asam-Mu'tazili

The views and opinions of the early interpreters on the interpretation of the Holy Quran, due to their proximity to the age of the Prophet, have always been of interest to later commentators. In the meantime, many valuable interpretive works have been destroyed due to ideological-theological conflicts that the Islamic world has gone through, and only parts of them, among other works, have survived and are available. One of these works is related to Abu-Bakr-Asam (225 AH) the third century AH Mu'tazilite, who, although he had a commentary on the Quran, its written and independent collection is not available. However, the interpretive views of this Mu'tazilite interpreter, in some interpretive books, such as Mafatih-al-Ghayb, Tebyan, and Majma-'al-Bayan have been quoted and reported sporadically. Knowledge of this interpretation is necessary because it represents the basis of the Mu'tazilite thought and the evolution of the interpretation of the Holy Quran; therefore, this article intends to explain his interpretive method by using the descriptive-analytical method, by examining the surviving works of Abu-Bakr-Asam's commentary. Abu-Bakr-Asam has given the greatest value to thinking and rationality in his interpretation. In his interpretation, he has also used polemical methods, paying attention to Arabic literature, the context of verses, the causes of revelation, and jurisprudential interpretation.