Fath al-Bayan fi Maqasid al-Quran
- Author died
- 1307 AH
- Editions
- Al-Maktabah al-Asriyyah lil-Tiba'ah wal-Nashr
Fath al-Bayan fi Maqasid al-Quran (The Opening of Clarification on the Objectives of the Quran) is a multi-volume work of Quranic exegesis by the Indian scholar Abu al-Tayyib Siddiq Hasan Khan (1248–1307 AH / 1832–1890 CE). It presents an exegesis aimed at combining traditional narration (riwayah) with reasoned analysis (dirayah).
Background and Methodology
In the introduction to the work, the author indicates that he gave the work a chronogrammatic title (ism tarikhi). Siddiq Hasan Khan composed the book after reviewing earlier commentaries, observing that many exegetical works had become burdened with overly intricate grammatical discussions, extraneous juristic digressions, uncritical story narration, or sectarian and speculative interpretations.
His stated approach was to construct an exegesis free of unsubstantiated Israelite traditions (isra'iliyyat), superstitions lacking evidence, juristic partisanship (jadal madhhabi), and speculative theological debates (mubahasat kalamiyya). He emphasized sound prophetic interpretations as the foremost authoritative guide for clarifying Quranic verses, stressing the necessity of understanding the meanings and legal implications of the text alongside its recitation.
In compiling the commentary, Siddiq Hasan Khan heavily summarized Muhammad ibn Ali al-Shawkani's exegesis Fath al-Qadir, while appending numerous supplementary benefits and discussions of his own.
Reception
The work received commendation from contemporary scholars:
- Nu'man Khayr al-Din al-Alusi praised the exegesis, describing it as an accomplished synthesis between authentic narrated reports and clear analytical reasoning.
- The Najdi scholar Hamad ibn Atiq, after receiving copies of the commentary in Sha'ban 1297 AH, wrote to the author expressing his admiration for the work's adherence to early Sunni creed and its distance from speculative distortions, while noting that he identified certain specific passages during his reading that warranted further scholarly investigation.
Publication History
The commentary was first printed in Bhopal, India. It was subsequently published in Cairo at al-Matba'a al-Kubra al-Amiriyya between 1300 and 1302 AH in ten volumes. It was also printed in Egypt in eight volumes with the exegesis of Ibn Kathir placed in the margins. Later printings include a multi-volume edition edited, introduced, and reviewed by Abd Allah ibn Ibrahim al-Ansari, published by al-Maktaba al-Asriyya in Saida and Beirut (1412 AH / 1992 CE).
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