The Face of Allah from the Perspective of the Interpreters of the Two Sects, along with the Evolution of Opinions

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Assistant Professor of Education Department of Islamic Azad University of Shiraz, Shira, Iran.

Abstract

In the Holy Quran, the word face is used for God approximately eleven times. This usage has generated diverse interpretations among various Islamic groups, including scholars, religious thinkers, spiritual leaders, and philosophers, with each offering its own explanation. Consequently, the phrase "face of Allah" emerges as a Quranic metaphor requiring careful study. The central questions are: What does "the face of Allah" truly signify, and how do scholars from different groups interpret it? This article, through content analysis, identifies four interpretive approaches to the verses. They include the legal approach, which addresses the verse's application in religious jurisprudence to resolve practical issues, such as the permissibility of prayer during travel or determining the Qibla in difficult situations; the rational approach, which directs facing the Kaaba during obligatory prayers and worship to avoid disagreements and maintain Muslim unity; the mystical approach, which views the human heart as the locus where God's qualities shine and manifest, portraying humans as representatives or faces of God; and the theological approach, which presents the infallible Imam (a.s.) as the best exemplar of the verse, affirming that the pure Imams are truthful and should be followed, as the face of God embodies His complete and unlimited kindness, present everywhere and in everything, with a prime example being the ideal person or chosen leader of God, represented by the infallible Imam.

Keywords

Main Subjects


Alusi, Sayyid Mahmoud (1415 AH), Ruh al-Ma'ani fi tafsir al-Quran al-Azeem, Beirut: Dar al-Kuttab al-Ilmiyah. [In Arabic]
Al-Ghazi, Abdul Qadir (1382 AH), Bayan al-Ma'ani (Tafsir al-Quran al-Azeem), Damascus: Al-Tarqi Press. [In Arabic]
Ibn Abi Hatim, Abdul Rahman bin Muhammad (1419 AH), Tafsir al-Quran al-Azeem, Arabia: Maktaba Nizar Mustafa al-Barez. [In Arabic]
Ibn Babawayh "Sheikh Saduq", Muhammad bin Ali (1362 SH), Al-Khasal, revised by Ali Akbar Ghaffari, Qom: Jamia al-Modrasin. [In Arabic]
Ibn Jazzi Gharnaati, Muhammad bin Ahmad (1416 AH), Al-Tashil li'l-Uloom al-Tanzil, Beirut: Dar al-Arqam bin al-Arqam. [In Arabic]
Ibn Jawzi, Abdul Rahman bin Ali (1422 AH), Zad al-Masir fi 'ilm al-Tafsir, Beirut: Dar al-Kuttab al-Arabi. [In Arabic]
Ibn Ashur, Muhammad ibn Tahir, Al-Tahrir and Al-Tanvir, Beirut: Arab History Institute, no. [In Arabic]
Ibn Ajibah, Ahmad ibn Muhammad (1419 AH), Al-Bahr Al-Madid in the Interpretation of the Glorious Qur’an, Cairo: Dr. Hassan Abbas Zaki. [In Arabic]
Ibn Arabi, Muhyi al-Din Muhammad (1422 AH), Ibn Arabi’s Interpretation, Beirut: Dara Hayya al-Turahat al-Arabi. [In Arabic]
Ibn Atiyah Al-Andalusi, Abdul Haqq ibn Ghaib (1422 AH), Al-Muharrar Al-Wajiz in the Interpretation of the Mighty Book, Beirut: Daral Al-Kutb Al-Ilamiyah. [In Arabic]
Ibn Faris, Ahmad ibn Faris (1404 AH), Mu’jam Al-Maqays Al-Lughah, Qom: Al-Islam Al-Islami Office. [In Arabic]
Ibn Qutaybah, Abdullah ibn Muslim, Ta’wilaat Mushkil al-Qur’an, no. [In Arabic]
Ibn Kathir al-Damshqi, Ismail(1419 AH.), Tafsir al-Qur’an Al-Azeem, Beirut: Daral Al-Kutb Al-Ilamiyah. [In Arabic]
Ibn Manzoor, Muhammad Bin Makram (1414 AH), Lasan al-Arab, Beirut: Dar Sadir. [In Arabic]
Abul Fattuh Razi, Hossein bin Ali (1408 AH), Ruz al-Jinnan and Ruh al-Jinnan fi Tafsir al-Qur'an, Mashhad: Astan Quds Razavi. [In Arabic]
Abu Hamzah Samali, Thabit bin Dinar, Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Karim (Shamali), Beirut: Dar al-Mufid, Bita. [In Arabic]
Abuhian Andalsi, Muhammad bin Yusuf (1420 AH), Al-Bahr al-Mhait fi al-Tafsir, Beirut: Dar al-Fikr. [In Arabic]
Abu Obeidah, Muammar bin Muthni (1381 AH), Majaz al-Qur'an, Cairo: Al-Khanji School. [In Arabic]
Ash'ari, Ali bin Ismail (1955), Al-La'ma fi Al-Ard Ali Ahl al-Zigh and Al-Bada', Egypt: Hammouda Gharabah. [In Arabic]
Yarmi Alavi, Muhammad Amin, Interpretation of the Gardens of the Spirit and the Roses in the Fields of Quranic Sciences, Beirut: Dar Tarqal-Nanjah, Bi-Ta. [In Arabic]
Amin Isfahani, Sayyidah Nusrat (1361 SH), Maqsan-ul-Irfan in the Interpretation of the Quran, Tehran: Nahdat Zaman Muslim. [In Persian]
Ashour, Ali (1429 AH), Interpretation of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) for the Holy Quran, Beirut: Middle East Cultural Center. [In Arabic]
Bahrani, Sayyid Hashem (1416 AH), Al-Burhan in the Interpretation of the Quran, Tehran: Bissat Foundation. [In Arabic]
Balkhi, Muqatil bin Sulayman (1423 AH), Interpretation of Muqatil bin Sulayman, Beirut: Dar Ihyaa Al-Turahat Al-Arabi. [In Arabic]
Baydawi, Abdullah bin Umar (1418 AH), Anwar al-Tanzilu Asrar al-Tawil (Tafsir Baydawi), Beirut: Dar Ihyaa Al-Turahat Al-Arabi. [In Arabic]
Baghvi, Hussein bin Masoud (1420 AH), Tafsir Baghvi (Ma’alam al-Tanziil), Beirut: Dar Ihya’at al-Turath al-Arabi. [In Arabic]
Balaghi, Muhammad Jawad (1420 AH), Ala’ al-Rahman fi Tafsir al-Quran, Qom: Bi’sat Foundation. [In Arabic]
Parsa, Forough (1392 AH), Shiite Interpretations and Historical Developments of Iran, Tehran: Research Institute of Humanities. [In Persian]
Paketchi, Ahmad (1392 SH), Tarikh Tafsir al-Quran, Tehran: Imam Sadiq University (AS). [In Persian]
Tustri, Abu Muhammad Sahl bin Abdullah (1423 AH), Tafsir al-Tustri, Beirut: Dar al-Kutb al-Ilmiyah. [In Arabic]
Tha’alabi, Abd al-Rahman bin Muhammad (1418 AH), Jawaher al-Hasan fi Tafsir al-Quran, Beirut: Dar al-Hiya’at al-Turath al-Arabi. [In Arabic]
Tha’alabi, Ahmad bin Muhammad (1422 AH), Al-Kashif wa al-Bayan, maarouf bi Tafsir al-Thaalibi, Beirut: Dar al-Hiya’at al-Turath al-Arabi. [In Arabic]
Thaqafi Tehrani, Mohammad, (1398SH) Tafsir Rawan Javid, Tehran: Burhan Publications. [In Persian]
Jurjani, Hussein bin Hassan (1337-1341 SH) Tafsir Gazer, Jalaluddin Muhaddith Ormavi Publications, Tehran. [In Persian]
Jurjani, Abdul Qahir (1430 AH), Darj Al-Durr Fi Tafsir Al-Quran Al-Azeem, Amman: Dar Al-Fikr. [In Arabic]
Jazairi, Abu Bakr Jaber (1416 AH), Isir Al-Tafsir Laklam Al-Ali Al-Kabir, Medina: Maktaba Al-Ulum Wa Al-Hikam. [In Arabic]
Jassas, Ahmad bin Ali, Ahkam Al-Quran, Beirut: Darahiya Al-Turaht Al-Arabi,  bi-ta. [In Arabic]
Jafari, Yaqoub (1376 SH), Tafsir Kausar, Qom: Hijrat Publications. [In Persian]
Javadi Amoli, Abdullah (1389SH), Tafsir Tasnim, Vol. 6, Qom: Israa Publishing Center. [In Persian]
Hijazi, Muhammad Mahmoud (1413 AH.), Tafsir Al-Za'id, Beirut: Dar Al-Jalil. [In Arabic]
Har'Amil, Muhammad ibn Hassan (1409 AH), Al-Shi'a's Tools, Qom: Al-Bayt Institute (AS). [In Arabic]
Hosseini Shirazi, Sayyid Muhammad, Qadr Al-Quran Ilya Al-Adhhan, bija, bita. [In Persian]
Hosseini Hamedani, Sayyid Muhammad (1404 AH), Anwar Derakhshan Dar Tafsir Al-Quran, Tehran: Lotfi Bookstore. [In Persian]
Haqqi Brosawy, Ismail, Ruh Al-Bayan, Beirut: Dar Al-Fikr, bita. [In Arabic]
Hamush Qaysi, Makki ibn Abi Talib, Al-Hidayah Ilya Bulugh Al-Nahiyah, Sharjah Emirates: Jamia Al-Sharqah, bita. [In Arabic]
Hawy, Saeed (1424 AH), Al-Asas fi Tafsir, Cairo: Dar Al-Salam. [In Arabic]
Khazen, Ali ibn Muhammad (1415 AH), Tafsir Al-Khazen, Beirut: Dar Al-Kutb Al-Ilmiyah. [In Arabic]
Khatib, Abdul Karim (1424 AH.), al-Tafsir al-Qur'an for the Qur'an, Beirut: Dar al-Fikr al-Arabi. [In Arabic]
Droze, Muhammad Azza (1421 AH), al-Tafsir al-Hadith, Beirut: Dar al-Gharb al-Islami. [In Arabic]
Darwish, Muhyiddin (1415 AH), Arabs of the Quran and its Explanation, Damascus: Dar al-Rashad. [In Arabic]
Daas, Humaidan, Qasim (1425 AH), Arabs of the Holy Quran. Damascus: Dar al-Munir and Dar al-Farabi. [In Arabic]
Darrah, Muhammad Ali, (1430 AH), Tafsir of the Holy Quran and Arabs and its Explanation, Beirut: Dar Ibn Kathir. [In Arabic]
Ragheb Isfahani, Hussein bin Muhammad (1412 AH), Mufardat al-Faz al-Quran, Beirut, First Edition. [In Arabic]
Rashid Reza, Muhammad (1414 AH), Tafsir of the Holy Quran (Tafsir al-Manar), Beirut: Dar al-Marfa. [In Arabic]
Rezaei Isfahani, Muhammad Ali (1388 SH), Tafsir of the Holy Quran, Qom: Researches on Tafsir and Quranic Sciences. [In Persian]
Zubaidi, Majid Nasser (1428 AH), Al-Taysir fi tafsir il-Quran in the narration of Ahl al-Bayt, Beirut: Dar al-Mahja al-Bayda. [In Arabic]
Zuhaili, Wahba (1418 AH), Al-Tafsir al-Munir fi al-Aqeedah wa al-Shari’ah wa al-Manhaj, Damascus: Dar al-Fikr. [In Arabic]
Zamakhshari, Mahmoud, Al-Kashf an Haqqat Ghwamad al-Tanzil, Beirut: Dar al-Kitab al-Arabi, 1407 AH. [In Arabic]
Sabzwari, Muhammad (1419 AH.), Irshad al-Adhhan ila tafsir al-Quran, Beirut: Dar al-Ta’arif ll-Muta’fatu’at. [In Arabic]
Samarkandi, Nasr ibn Muhammad (1416 AH), Tafsir al-Samarkandi, Beirut: Dar al-Fikr. [In Arabic]
Sayyid ibn Qutb, Ibrahim, (1412 AH), Fi dhilaal al-Quran, Beirut: Dar al-Shurooq. [In Arabic]
Syuri, Miqdad ibn Abdullah (1422 AH.), Kanz al-Irfan fi fiqh al-Quran, Qom: Maktaba Nawid al-Islam. [In Arabic]
Suyuti, Jalal al-Din (1404 AH), Al-Durr al-Manthur in the interpretation of al-Mathur, Qom: Ayatollah Marashi Najafi Library. [In Arabic]
Shafi'i, Muhammad ibn Idris (1412 AH), The Laws of the Qur'an, Beirut: Dar al-Kutb al-Ilmiyah. [In Arabic]
Shah Abdul-Azimi, Hussein (1363 SH), Tafsir al-Twelfth, Tehran: Miqat. [In Arabic]
Shahata, Abdullah Mahmoud (1421 AH), Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim, Cairo: Dar al-Ghraib. [In Arabic]
Shibbar, Sayyid Abdullah (1407 AH), Al-Jawhar al-Thamin in the interpretation of the clear book, Kuwait: Maktaba al-Afin. [In Arabic]
Sharif al-Radi, Muhammad ibn Hussein, Takkhiseh al-Bayan in the punishment of the Qur'an, Beirut: Dar al-Awda, bi-ta. [In Arabic]
Sharif Lahiji, Muhammad ibn Ali (1373 SH), Tafsir Sharif Lahiji, Tehran: Nashr Dad. [In Arabic]
Shaarawi, Muhammad Metwali (1419 AH), Esir al-Tafsir, Bi-Ja. [In Arabic]
Shawkani, Muhammad (1414 AH.), Fath al-Qadir, Damascus: Dar Ibn Kathir. [In Arabic]
Shahristani, Muhammad bin Abdul Karim (1387 SH), Tafsir al-Shahristani (Mafatih al-Asrar wa Masabih al-Ibrar), Tehran: Research and Studies Center. [In Arabic]
Shaybani, Muhammad bin Hassan (1413 AH), Nahjul-Bayan an Kashf Ma’ani al-Quran, Tehran: Islamic Encyclopedia. [In Arabic]
Sabouni, Muhammad Ali (1421 AH), Safwat al-Tafsir, Beirut: Dar al-Fikr. [In Arabic]
Sadeghi Tehrani, Muhammad (1377 SH), Al-Balagh fi Tafsir al-Quran bi-Quran, Qom: Maktaba Muhammad al-Sadeghi. [In Persian]
Saleh, Abdul Wahid Bahjat, Al-Arabi al-Mufasl liktab Allah al-Murtal, Amman-Jordan: Dar al-Fikr, Bi-Ta. [In Arabic]
Safi, Mahmoud bin Abdul Rahim (1418 AH), Al-Tabar fi Arab Al-Quran, Beirut: Dar al-Rashid Al-Iman Institute. [In Arabic]
Safi Ali Shah, Muhammad Hassan (1378 SH), Tafsir Safi Ali Shah, Tehran: Manouchehri. [In Persian]
Taleghani, Sayyid Muhammad (1362 SH), Partvi az Quran, Tehran: Sahami Anabaq Company. [In Persian]
Taha Darreh, Muhammad Ali (1430 AH), Tafsir Al-Quran wa Arababah wa Bayanah, Beirut: Dar Ibn Kathir. [In Arabic]
Tabatabai, Allama Sayyid Muhammad Husayn, (1417 AH), Al-Mizan fi Tafsir Al-Quran, Qom: Jamia Madrasain Hozewza Al-Ilmiyah. [In Arabic]
Tabarani, Sulayman bin Ahmad (2008), Tafsir Al-Kabir, Jordan: Dar al-Kitab Al-Thaqafi. [In Arabic]
Tabarsi, Fadl bin Hassan (1372SH), Majma’ al-Bayan fi Tafsir Al-Quran, Tehran: Nasser Khosrow. [In Arabic]
______________________ (1377SH) Jame' al-Jami', Tehran: University of Tehran. [In Arabic]
Tabari, Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Jarir (1412 AH.), Jame' al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Quran, Beirut: Dar al-Marfa. [In Arabic]
Tarihi, Fakhr al-Din ibn Muhammad (1375 SH), Majma' al-Bahrain, Tehran: Mortazavi, 3rd edition. [In Arabic]
Tantawi, Sayyid Muhammad (1977 AD), Tafsir al-Wasit il-Quran al-Karim, Cairo: Nahda Misr. [In Arabic]
Tusi, Muhammad ibn Hassan, Al-Tabi'yan fi Tafsir al-Quran, Beirut: Dar al-Hayya al-Turat al-Arabi, bi-ta. [In Arabic]
Tayyib, Abdul Hussein (1374SH), Atib al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Quran, Tehran: Islam Publications. [In Arabic]
Ameli, Ibrahim (1360SH.), Tafsir Ameli, Tehran: Sadouq Bookstore. [In Arabic]
Arabi, Muhammad Ghazi (1426 AH), The Sufi Philosophical Interpretation of the Holy Quran, Damascus: Dar al-Bashayr. [In Arabic]
Arousi al-Huwayzi (1415 AH), Abd al-Ali Juma, Tafsir Noor al-Thaqlain, Qom: Ismailiyan. [In Arabic]
Alwan, Abdullah ibn Nasih (1427 AH), The Arabs of the Holy Quran, Egypt: Dar al-Sahaba for Heritage. [In Arabic]
Ayashi, Muhammad ibn Masoud (1380 SH), Kitab al-Tafsir (Tafsir al-Tafsir), Tehran: Al-Ilmiyah Press. [In Arabic]
Fakhr al-Razi, Muhammad ibn Omar (1420 AH),  Mafatih al-Ghayb, Beirut: Dar al-Hiya al-Turath al-Arabi. [In Arabic]
Fara, Abu Zakaria Yahya ibn Ziyad, Ma’ani al-Quran, Egypt: Dar al-Masriya for Compilation and Translation, bi-ta. [In Arabic]
Furat al-Kufi, Abul-Qasim (1410 AH), Tafsir al-Furat al-Kufi, Tehran: Ministry of Islamic Guidance Publications. [In Arabic]
Fadlallah, Sayyid Muhammad Hussein, (1419 AH), Tafsir min Wahi al-Quran, Beirut: Dar al-Mulak for Printing and Publishing. [In Arabic]
Foladvand, Muhammad Mahdi (1415 AH), Translation of the Quran, Tehran: Dar al-Quran al-Karim. [In Persian]
Faiz Kashani, Mulla Mohsen (1415 AH.), Tafsir Safi, Tehran: Sadr Publications. [In Arabic]
Fayoumi, Ahmad bin Muhammad (1414 A.H), Al-Masbah al-Munir fi Gharib al-Sharh al-Kabir by Rafi'i - Qom, second edition. [In Arabic]
Qashi, Haider bin Ali (1428 AH), Tafsir al-Qashi, Beirut: Dar al-Kitab al-Alamiya. [In Arabic]
Qaraeti, Mohsen (1383SH), Tafsir Noor, Tehran: Center for Lessons from the Qur'an. [In Persian]
Qurashi, Seyyed Ali Akbar (1377SH), Tafsir Ahsan al-Hadith, Tehran, Baath Foundation. [In Persian]
Qurtubi, Muhammad bin Ahmad, Al-Jamae Lahkam Al-Qur'an, Beirut: Dar al-Fikr, B. Ta. [In Arabic]
Qashiri, Abdul Karim bin Hawazen, Lataif al-Isharat (Tafsir Qashiri), Egypt: Al-Masriy Al-Ame Al-Katab, B. [In Arabic]
Qutb Rawandi, Sayyid ibn Hibullah (1405 AH), Fiqh al-Quran, Qom: Ayatollah Marashi Najafi Library. [In Arabic]
Qummi, Ali ibn Ibrahim (1367 SH), Tafsir al-Qummi, Qom: Dar al-Kitab. [In Arabic]
Qummi Mashhadi, Muhammad ibn Muhammad Reza, Tafsir al-Kanz al-Duqa’iq wa Bahr al-Ghara’ib, Tehran: Ministry of Islamic Guidance. [In Arabic]
Kashani, Mulla Fathullah (1368 SH), Manhaj al-Sadiqeen fi al-Zam al-Mukhalafi’in, Tehran: Mohammad Hassan Elmi Bookstore. [In Arabic]
Karami, Muhammad (1402 AH), Tafsir al-Katab Allah al-Munir, Qom: Ilmiyyah Printing House. [In Persian]
Karbasi, Muhammad Ja’far (1422 AH), Arabs of the Qur’an, Beirut: Dar va Maktaba al-Hilal. [In Arabic]
Karami Hosseini, Sayyid Abbas (1382 SH), Tafsir al-Aliyyin, Qom: Aswa. [In Persian]
Kulaini, Muhammad ibn Yaqub (1407 AH), Al-Kafi, revised by Ali Akbar Ghaffari, Tehran: Dar al-Kutb al-Islamiyyah. [In Arabic]
Gonabadi, Sultan Muhammad (1408 AH), Bayan al-Saadah fi Maqamat al-Ibaadah, Beirut: Al-Alami Publishing House. [In Arabic]
Mahli, Muhammad ibn Ahmad (1416 AH), Tafsir al-Jalalin, revised by Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti, Al-Nur Publishing House. [In Arabic]
Madrasi, Sayyid Muhammad Taqi (1419 AH), Min Huda al-Quran, Tehran: Dar Muhabbi al-Hussein. [In Arabic]
Maraghi, Ahmad Mustafa, Tafsir al-Maraghi, Beirut: Dar Ihya al-Turat al-Arab, bi-ta. [In Arabic]
Mustafawi, Hassan, (1430 AH), Al-Tahqiq fi Kalamat al-Quran al-Karim, Beirut: Dar al-Kutb al-Islamiyyah. [In Arabic]
Mazhari, Muhammad Sanaullah (1412 AH), Tafsir al-Mazhari, Pakistan: Maktaba Rashidiyyah. [In Arabic]
Ma'raft; Muhammad Hadi (1387SH), Tafsir al-Athari al-Jami', Qom: Al-Tamhid. [In Persian]
Mughniyyah, Muhammad Javad (1424 AH), Tafsir Kashif, Tehran: Dar al-Kutb al-Islamiyyah. [In Arabic]
Makarim Shirazi, Nasser (1374SH), Tafsir Namoun, Tehran: Dar al-Kutb al-Islamiyyah. [In Persian]
Mawlawi, Jalal al-Din Muhammad (1373 SH), Masnavi Ma'navi, researcher: Hashem Pour Sobhani, Tehran: Ministry of Islamic Guidance. [In Persian]
Mousavi Sabzevari, Sayyid Abdul Ali, (1409 AH), Muhaabih al-Rahman fi Tafsir al-Quran, Beirut: Ahl al-Bayt Foundation. [In Arabic]
Nahas, Abu Ja'far Ahmad bin Muhammad, (1421 AH), Arab al-Quran, Beirut: Dar al-Kutb al-Ilamiyyah. [In Arabic]
Narimani, Ali, Tafsir esfani Ishraq, Qom: Anonymous, Anonymous. [In Persian]
Nasa'i, Ahmad ibn Ali (1410 AH), Tafsir al-Nasa'i, Beirut: Al-Kutb al-Thaqafiya Institute. [In Persian]
Nasa'i, Abdullah ibn Ahmad (1419 AH), Tafsir al-Nasa'i (Documents of Revelation and Facts of Interpretation), Beirut: Dar al-Kalam al-Tayyib. [In Persian]
Wahidi, Ali ibn Ahmad, Al-Wasit fi Tafsir al-Quran al-Majid, Beirut: Dar al-Kutb al-Ilmiyah, bi-ta. [In Persian]
List of theses and articles:
Shirdel Haq‌ Wardi, Nada (1393SH), “A Study of the Historical Course of the Concept of the Face of Allah in Mystical Interpretations and Interpretations”, Senior Thesis, Semnan University. [In Persian]
Alavian, Noushin (1397SH), “The Concept and Application of the Face of Allah”, Senior Thesis, Kharazmi University. [In Persian]
Saydanloo, Javad and Karaminia, Mohammad (1387SH), “Semantics of the Face of Allah in the Holy Quran from the Perspective of Ayatollah Javadi Amoli”, Meshkoh Magazine, No. 144. [In Persian]
Rudgar, Mohammad Javad (1400SH), "The Perfect Man, the Face of Allah", Journal of Theological Doctrine Research, Summer, No. 142, pp. 151-172. [In Persian]
Mehdizadeh, Marjaneh (1387SH), "A Research on the Face of Allah in the Holy Quran", Nameh Elahiyat Journal, No. 13. [In Persian]