al-Tafsir al-Lughawi lil-Quran al-Karim
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- Editions
- Dar Ibn al-Jawzi
al-Tafsir al-Lughawi lil-Quran al-Karim ("Linguistic Exegesis of the Holy Quran") is a foundational study in Quranic sciences by the Saudi scholar Musaid al-Tayyar, examining the principles, development, sources, and interpretive rules governing the linguistic approach to Quranic exegesis .
Origin and Composition
The work was originally prepared as a doctoral dissertation in the Department of Quran and its Sciences at the College of Usul al-Din in Riyadh, defended on 12 Rajab 1421 AH (2000 CE), where it earned the grade of "Excellent" with First Class Honors .
Al-Tayyar initially planned to collect and analyze the exegetical statements of the grammarian Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn al-Qasim ibn Bashshar al-Anbari (d. 328 AH / 940 CE), with an introductory chapter addressing theoretical questions of linguistic exegesis . However, when he presented his project in 1416 AH (1995–1996 CE) to the head of the department, Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Shayi', the latter advised him to abandon the collection of al-Anbari's tafsir and instead expand the theoretical chapter into a comprehensive, standalone study on linguistic exegesis . The book was published by Dar Ibn al-Jawzi in a single volume comprising 734 pages .
Definition and Scope
Al-Tayyar defines linguistic exegesis (al-tafsir al-lughawi) as explaining the meanings of the Quran through what has been transmitted in the Arabic language, specifically the vocabulary and stylistic modes in which the Quran was revealed . He emphasizes that while Arabic lexicology and grammar are among the most essential and reliable sources for understanding the divine address, language cannot serve as the sole source of exegesis in isolation from other interpretive disciplines and traditional reports .
Structure and Contents
The book consists of an introduction, three main parts (abwab), and a conclusion with detailed academic indices :
- Part One: Status and Emergence of Linguistic Exegesis (al-Tafsir al-Lughawi: Makanatuhu wa-Nash'atuh): Comprises three chapters. The first addresses the definition and status of linguistic exegesis . The second traces its emergence among the early generations (al-Salaf)—who drew upon Arabic as a primary interpretive source with attention to contextual meaning—and examines both the direct and indirect contributions of specialized linguists (al-lughawiyyun) . The third chapter discusses key historical and methodological issues, including the precedence of the early generations, the scope of exegesis among scholars of language versus the Salaf, reliance on language, the use of poetic evidence (al-shahid al-shi'ri), the genres of al-wujuh wa-l-naza'ir (Quranic homonyms and polysemy) and lexical generalities (kulliyyat), and regional distinctions between the linguistic traditions of Basra and Kufa .
- Part Two: Sources of Linguistic Exegesis (Masadir al-Tafsir al-Lughawi): Examines five categories of source literature: traditional tafsir commentaries, works on Quranic meanings (ma'ani al-Quran), works on obscure vocabulary (gharib al-Quran), Arabic lexicons (ma'ajim al-lughah), and other related disciplines such as pause and initiation (al-waqf wa-l-ibtida') and grammar .
- Part Three: Effects and Rules of Linguistic Exegesis (Athar al-Tafsir al-Lughawi wa-Qawa'iduh): Analyzes how linguistic interpretations influence differences among commentators, how misapplication or isolated lexical deduction leads to doctrinal distortions, and establishes four governing principles for linguistic exegesis .
Core Principles
In the third part, al-Tayyar articulates four primary rules governing linguistic tafsir:
- Every linguistic interpretation firmly established from the early generations (al-Salaf) is judged authoritative Arabic and takes precedence over later linguists' views .
- If a verse accommodates more than one valid linguistic meaning, it is permissible to interpret the verse according to them .
- It is invalid to rely on the Arabic language alone without integrating other recognized sources of exegesis .
- There is no inherent contradiction between literal linguistic exegesis (al-tafsir al-lughawi) and exegesis focused on overarching sense (al-tafsir 'ala al-ma'na) .
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