al-Tafsir bil-Bayan al-Muttasil fi al-Quran al-Karim

al-Tafsir bil-Bayan al-Muttasil fi al-Quran al-Karim (Interpretation through Contiguous Clarification in the Holy Quran) is a contemporary treatise on Quranic exegesis by Basma bint Abdullah al-Kinhal, presented as an academic master's thesis in Quranic sciences under the supervision of Yusuf ibn Abdulaziz al-Shibl al-Tafsir bil-Bayan al-Mu…. Subtitled A Theoretical and Foundational Study (Dirāsa Naẓariyya Taʾṣīliyya), the work investigates contiguous textual clarification as a distinct subcategory of interpreting the Quran through the Quran (tafsir al-Quran bil-Quran) al-Tafsir bil-Bayan al-Mu…+1.

Subject Matter and Scope

The book defines contiguous clarification (al-bayan al-muttasil) as textual material appended to a verse or a segment of a verse that is connected to it in some manner al-Tafsir bil-Bayan al-Mu…. Accordingly, interpretation through contiguous clarification denotes uncovering the intended meaning of verses or verse segments by relying on the immediately following text that is directly linked to them al-Tafsir bil-Bayan al-Mu…. The author notes that while earlier classical scholars applied this hermeneutical method in practice, they did not formalize it as a standalone technical term al-Tafsir bil-Bayan al-Mu…+1.

The study aims to establish a theoretical foundation for this exegetical mode, highlight its application by the Prophet ﷺ and early generations, demonstrate its integration with other Quranic sciences—such as variant readings (qira'at)—and identify the causes and doctrinal consequences of misapplying contiguous textual linkages al-Tafsir bil-Bayan al-Mu…+1.

Structure

The work comprises an introduction, a preliminary chapter, three main chapters, a conclusion, and analytical indexes al-Tafsir bil-Bayan al-Mu…+1:

• Prelude: Introduces the concept and broad categories of interpreting the Quran through the Quran al-Tafsir bil-Bayan al-Mu….
• Chapter 1: Examines the definition of al-tafsir bil-bayan al-muttasil, distinguishes it from general context (siyaq), details its hermeneutical significance, and explores its relationship to other disciplines of Quranic studies al-Tafsir bil-Bayan al-Mu….
• Chapter 2: Classifies the forms of contiguity and their textual manifestations. It delineates three structural types of connection—within a single verse, across consecutive verses, and pseudo-contiguity (shibh al-ittisal)—and analyzes three primary functional modes: clarifying unelaborated text (bayan al-mujmal), specifying general expressions (takhsis al-amm), and qualifying absolute statements (taqyid al-mutlaq) al-Tafsir bil-Bayan al-Mu…+1.
• Chapter 3: Formulates governing rules for contiguous interpretation, such as maintaining the apparent wording unless valid evidence necessitates departure and connecting discourse when possible al-Tafsir bil-Bayan al-Mu…. It also outlines the causes of exegetical error—such as ignoring recognized interpretive methodologies, imposing preconceived doctrines, or lacking linguistic competence—and analyzes their theological and legal ramifications al-Tafsir bil-Bayan al-Mu….

Methodology

The work employs a descriptive and inductive methodology (al-manhaj al-wasfi al-istiqra'i) al-Tafsir bil-Bayan al-Mu…. Theoretical rules and parameters are extracted from established Sunni exegetical treatises and works on the principles of tafsir (usul al-tafsir) al-Tafsir bil-Bayan al-Mu…+1. Practical examples are arranged according to the standard order of the Quranic text, identifying the clarified passage alongside its contiguous clarifier, detailing transmission-based interpretations (tafsir bil-ma'thur), and highlighting relevant rhetorical points al-Tafsir bil-Bayan al-Mu….