Malak al-Tawil al-Qati bi Dhawi al-Ilhad wa al-Tatil
- Author died
- 708 AH
- Editions
- Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah
Malak al-Tawil al-Qati bi Dhawi al-Ilhad wa al-Tatil (The Decisive Standard of Interpretation against Atheism and Divestment) is a specialized treatise on Quranic verbal similarities (tawjih al-mutashabih al-lafdhi) by the Granadan scholar Abu Ja'far Ahmad ibn Ibrahim ibn al-Zubayr al-Gharnati (627–708 AH / 1230–1308 CE) .
Purpose and Background
In his introduction, Ibn al-Zubayr noted that scholars had largely overlooked the systematic study of recurring verses that differ slightly in phrasing, fronting and deferral (al-taqdim wa-al-ta'khir), or slight additions, which led some readers to assume such variations served no distinct semantic purpose . He was prompted to compile the book after encountering Durrat al-Tanzil wa-Ghurrat al-Ta'wil by al-Khatib al-Iskafi (d. 420 AH), which had pioneered the field . Ibn al-Zubayr sought to defend the precision of the Quranic text against doubts raised by critics and skeptics by demonstrating that every variation is necessitated by its immediate context and overarching meaning .
Structure and Methodology
The work is organized according to the sequential order of the chapters (suwar) of the Quran . Ibn al-Zubayr addressed the verses analyzed earlier by al-Iskafi while adding numerous other ambiguous and recurring passages that al-Iskafi had omitted . To distinguish his additions, he marked each newly added verse or inquiry with the Arabic letter ghayn (غ), denoting that it was among the omitted matters (al-mughfalat) .
His method relies on formulating specific queries (such as comparing opening formulas, lexical differences, or word orders across chapters) and answering them through grammatical, rhetorical, and contextual analysis . Ibn al-Zubayr stated that he developed his own rationales before reviewing other authorities, though he engaged with and occasionally critiqued major exegetical works, including the commentary of Fakhr al-Din al-Razi .
Standing and Reception
Malak al-Tawil is regarded in Quranic sciences as the broadest and most exhaustive work written on verbal similarities in the Quran . Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani remarked in his biographical notice of Ibn al-Zubayr that he followed the path of al-Iskafi in this genre, abridging his material while contributing significant additions of his own .
Editions
The book has been published in several modern editions, including:
- An edition in two volumes edited by Sa'id al-Fallah, published by Dar al-Gharb al-Islami in Beirut (1403 AH / 1983 CE) .
- An edition edited by Mahmud Kamil Ahmad, published by Dar al-Nahdah al-Arabiyyah in Beirut (1405 AH / 1985 CE) .
- An edition with annotations by Abd al-Ghani Muhammad Ali al-Fasi, published by Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah in Beirut .
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