Wahab, Abdul (1997) A study of Surat al-A'raf : development in Tafsir studies. PhD thesis http://theses.gla.ac.uk/7234/ Copyright and moral rights for this thesis are retained by the author A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the Author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the Author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Glasgow Theses Service http://theses.gla.ac.uk/ [email protected] BY ABDUL WAHAB M. A. Arabic & M. A. Islamic Studies University of Peshawar N. W. F. P. Pakistan. A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the University of Glasgow. DEPARTMENT OF ARABIC AND ISLAMIC STUDIES. MAY 1997. ;ý /7% 1ýý/// f. `9 L, 0, Lo s1f ý ýi-y ý ý,yT %ý ý-3 t ýt)v (,y-lý', iý ý,,, '. sL.-" i"-. ý. ýa, ýr . ý,,,, In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful, Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Universe, and Peace and Prayers be upon His Final Prophet and Messenger. ABSTRACT Previous studies have mostly concentrated on narrow specialized aspects of the subject Tafsir al-Qur'än. This study is intended as an attempt at a general investigation of the principles and problems of the exegesis of the Qur'an, its form and content, combining such points of view as are appropriate in each case. The basic theme of this thesis is that of analysis of various critical elements regarding the basic beliefs of Islam as they occur specifically in Sürat al-A`räf. The verses of this Sürah exemplify each topic under investigation. In the situation in which an äyah exemplifies one `agidah in the first part, and another `agrdah in the second part, the same äyah is used as an explanation for both. I have relied mainly on al-Tabari, Ibn Kathir, al-Qurtubi and al-Baydäwi, as representations of different madhdhib. Apart from the above commentaries, I have taken the translations of `Abd A11äh Yüsuf `Ali, and Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall, as a basis for the interpretation of Qur'änic terms. The views of the Prophet (pbuh), transmitted from his Companions and the Tabi `iin are also considered carefully in the appropriate places. Such traditional Qur'anic and Islamic terms as A11ah, Qur'an, Wahy, Ayah, Sahabah, Hadith, Tafsir and Ta'wi1 are written in their transliterated forms throughout. My purpose in writing this piece of work has been to provide all Muslims and non-Muslims who have no access to the original sources of Islam with the proofs and arguments of the different sects of Muslim scholars, thereby providing a lucid comprehensive and all embracing traditional view of Islam. III My thesis explains the various basic elements of Islam. The different chapters are explanatory of the interpretations of the Qur'än, Alläh (God), the Creation, Islam and Imin, Prophethood, and the Hereafter. In chapter one, on Qur'anic exegesis, a survey of the general history of the Tafsir is described and analysed. In chapter two, the subjects of the Existence of Allah (God), the Attributes of Allah and Tawhid and Shirk are amply discussed from various aspects. In chapter three, Creation is considered in the light of its representation in the Qur'an, Hadith and Tafsir. Thereafter in chapter four, multifarious aspects of Islam and Imdn and tagwä are clearly presented. In chapter five, Prophethood, the various aspects of Messengership, the Revelation of God and the Angel through whome it was revealed, are discussed. In chapter six, the Judgement and the Hereafter are discussed in detail. In conclusion, the last part of the thesis brings together the problems and arguments raised in the earlier parts and recommends areas of further study. i ý- CONTENTS SUBJECT. PAGE. NO Abstract. iii Contents. v Dedication. x Acknowledgements. xii Table of Transliteration. xiii CHAPTER 1. Survey of General and Historical Studies of Qur'änic Exegesis. 2 SECTION ONE. TAFSIR AL-QUR'AN. 2 1.1.1 Introduction. 2 1.1.2. Meaning of Tafsir and Ta'wil. 3 1.1.3. Meaningful aspectsof the interpretation of the term Tafsir. 6 1.1.4. Some basic principles which must be known by the commentator on the Qur'an. 8 1.1.5. Requirements for an exegete of the Qur'an. 13 1.1.6. The best methods of Tafsir. 13 1.1.7. Classification ofHadith and Sunnah. 14 1.1.8. Legalisation of Tafsir bil-Ray. 17 SECTION TWO. HISTORY OF TAFSIR. 20 1.2.1. Period of the Prophet. 20 1.2.2. Period of the Sahdbah. 21 1.2.3. Period of the Tdbi `inn. 27 1.2.3.1. Usefulness of the Tafsir of the Tdbi'iin. 29 1.2.4. Period of Ma Ba`d al-Tdbi'Tn. 29 1.2.5. The Various kinds of Tafsir. 32 1.2.6. Usefulness of the Isrd'Fliyydt. 34 1.2.7. Some classical commentators. 36 V 1.2.8. Introduction to the sciences of the Qur'an. 39 1.2.9. Formal analysis of Sarat al-A`rüf. 40 1.2.9.1. Evidence from different Tafasir. 42 1.2.9.2. Notes to Chapter One. 46 CHAPTER 2. SECTION ONE. EXISTENCE OF ALLAH AND AL-ASMA' AL-HUSNA. 53 2.1.1. Introduction. 53 2.1.2. Allah: His Existence. (Islamic Conception of the Unity and Transcendence of God: The Qur'anic Perspective). 53 2.1.3. The Concept of Allah in Islam. 55 2.1.4. The Attributes of Allah. 56 2.1.4.1 Rabb in a Qur'anic context. 58 2.1.4.2 Istawd 'ald al-'Arsh. 59 2.1.4.3 Khalq and Amr. 64 2.1.5. Vidayah and Dalalah. 66 2.1.6. The Beautiful Names of A11ah. (AL-Asmd' al-Husnd). 67 2.1.7. Acknowledgement of Allah's Lordship. 71 2.1.8.1 Identities of the Ahl al-Bid `ah (Innovators) in - Religion. 73 2.1.8.2 Various Sects of the Ahl al-Bid'ah in Religion. 73 SECTION TWO. TAWHID AND SHIRK: (Monotheism and Polytheism). 78 2.2.1. The Eternity of God. 78 2.2.2. The Meaning of Tawhtd and Shirk. 79 2.2.3. Discussion of the Divine Deity. 80 2.2.4. The Doctrine of God in Islam. 81 2.2.5. Tawhid is to Worship A115h Alone. 82 2.2.6. The Various Forms of Shirk (Polytheism). 85 2.2.7. The Identity of the Polytheists. 86 2.2.7.1. Assigning Partners to Him is Forbidden. 87 2.2.7.2 Partial Punishment of Sins in this World. 87 2.2.7.3. Blind Following of one's Forefathers is Inexcusable 88 2.2.8. The Veracity of the Prophet. 88 vi 2.2.9. Rejection of Polytheism and Idolatry. 89 2.2.9.1. External and Internal Idolatry. 91 2.2.10. Conclusion. 95 2.2.11. Notes to Chapter Two. 96 CHAPTER 3. CREATION: THE ISLAMIC CONCEPTION. 3.1. Introduction. 102 3.2.1. Creation: The Scriptural Conception. 102 3.2.2. On Some Connotations of the Word Khalq. 103 3.3.1. Some Semantic Aspects of al-Sama' (the Heaven) and al-Ard (the Earth). 104 3.3.2. Creation of the Heavens and the Earth: The Islamic Perspective. 105 3.3.3. Were the Days of Creation Worldly or Heavenly? 108 3.4.1. Angels: A Brief Discussion of the Term. 112 3.4.2. Existence of Angels. 112 3.4.3. Creation of Angels. 113 3.5.1. The Jinn: A Brief Discussion. 117 3.5.2. Existence of Jinn. 117 3.6.1. Ib/Fs :A Brief Discussion. 118 3.6.2. Aspects of the Character of Iblis. 119 3.6.3. The Meaning of Shaytdn. 120 3.6.4. Some Characteristics of Shaytdn. 121 3.7.1. A Discussion Bearing Mankind, Adam and Hawä (Eve). 125 3.7.2. Creation of Adam and Status of Adam's Progeny. 129 3.8. Conclusion. 134 3.9. Notes to Chapter Three. 136 CHAPTER 4. SECTION ONE. IMAN AND ISLAM, (Beliefs and Worship). 142 4.1.1. Introduction. 142 4.1.2. Meaning(s) of Islam. 143 4.1.3. The Difference between bndn and Islam. 148 4.1.4. The Understanding of Faith Among the Various Muslim Sects. 155 4.1.5. Salvation through ! indn. 158 V11 4.1.6. Formal Analysis of the Ayahs regarding Beliefs and Worship. 161 SECTION TWO. IMAN AND TAQWA: THE ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE. 4.2.1. Definition and Meaning of Tagwd. 164 4.2.2. Varying Degrees of Tagwd. 164 4.2.3. Tagwd is Highly Esteemed and Honoured by Alläh. 166 4.2.4. To Contemplate Alläh is a Quality of the Righteous. 167 4.2.5. Tagwd is an Essential Part of Faith, and Success in this World and one's Well-being in the Hereafter Rests on Preserving and Demonstrating it. 168 4.2.6. Decent and Proper Garment is the 'Raiment of Righteousness'. 168 4.2.7. Connotation of Righteousness. 169 4.2.8. Qualities of Righteous People. 170 4.2.9. Conclusion. 178 4.2.10. Notes to Chapter Four. 179 CHAPTER 5. SECTION ONE. PROPHETHOOD: THE BOOK, THE ANGEL, THE MESSENGER AND THE PROPHET.