Author
Ph.D. student of theology, Imam Sadiq University
Abstract
One of the main ways of understanding historical reports, is to Investigate and identify historical conditions in which that report was produced under. In other words, we must examine reports from their historical perspective. Tafsīr bir-ray traditions can be considered as one of the most controversial groups of historical statements regarding their true meaning. This paper first investigates the viewpoint of Allameh Tabatabai regarding Tafsīr bir-ray. Then, by analyzing Tafsir in early Islamic communities, it attempts to trace the most historical picture of Tafsīr bir-ray in early Muslim thought. Subsequently, the author compares his historical reading with standpoint of Allameh Tabatabai and demonstrates the contradiction between these two opinions. It seems that Allameh Tabatabai’s viewpoint about Tafsīr bir-ray is derived from his stance toward Tafsīr al-Quran. To further understand this issue Shiite and Sunni primary source documents as well as Tabatabai’s writings are analyzed.
Keywords
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