Analysis of the Infallibles' (AS) Method in Explaining the Words and Concepts of the Cosmic Verses of the Quran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Quranic Sciences, University of Quranic Sciences and Islamic Teachings, Tehran, Iran.

2 PhD in Quranic Interpretation and Sciences/Comparative Interpretation, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Quranic Sciences, University of Quranic Sciences and Islamic Teachings, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Understanding the systematic interpretive methods employed by the Infallibles (peace be upon them [PBUH]) in explicating the Qur'an's geological verses offers effective approaches to Qur'anic exegesis. The Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them [PBUH]) typically followed three procedures when interpreting the Qur'an's scientific verses: literal explanation, conceptual interpretation, and cross-referencing with other Qur'anic verses. Conceptual interpretation predominates, while literal explanation focuses on lexical meanings and elucidating specific terms. Attending to other Qur'anic verses and rational reasoning, the Infallibles and Companions expounded upon spiritual and scientific verses, including those concerning the subsidence of running water, water density, the first dam, the descent of iron, the absence of extinction, continental formation, and Earth's movement. This study examines the interpretive approaches of the Pure Imams toward the Qur'an's geological verses. Employing content analysis and library research, it scrutinizes relevant narrations by aligning geological verses with scientific hadiths and established natural sciences. Findings reveal that the Infallibles transcended the scientific knowledge of their era, articulating concepts unknown to contemporary thinkers and only later validated by modern science centuries afterward. To convey the meanings of these scientific verses, diverse methods, including lexical semantics, literal explanation, conceptual elucidation, illustration, ultimate expression, and conceptual-exemplary interpretation, were utilized. This diversity of methods demonstrates the comprehensiveness and perfection of the knowledge of those nobles in interpreting and explaining the divine verses.

Keywords

Main Subjects


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