Manhaj al-Qurtubi fi Daf Ma Yutawahham Taaruduhu min al-Ayat fi Kitabihi al-Jami li Ahkam al-Quran
- Author died
- 1442 AH
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- Manhaj al-Qurtubi fi Daf Ma Yutawahham Taaruduhu min al-Ayat fi Kitabihi al-Jami li Ahkam al-Quran
Manhaj al-Qurtubi fi Daf Ma Yutawahham Taaruduhu min al-Ayat fi Kitabihi al-Jami li Ahkam al-Quran ("Al-Qurtubi's Methodology in Dispelling Perceived Contradictions Between Verses in His Book al-Jami' li-Ahkam al-Qur'an") is an academic study by Abd al-Rahman al-Suhaym (d. 1442 AH / 2021 CE) examining the exegetical methods of al-Qurtubi in reconciling apparently conflicting Quranic verses in his commentary al-Jami li-Ahkam al-Quran .
Composition and Purpose
The work was prepared as a Master's thesis in the Department of Islamic Culture (Tafsir and Hadith Division) within the College of Education at King Saud University . Conducted under the supervision of Nasir ibn Muhammad al-Mani', the thesis was defended and approved on 25 Rabi' al-Thani 1428 AH (2007 CE) before an examination committee comprising the supervisor alongside Salih ibn Nasir al-Nasir and Adil ibn Ali al-Shiddi .
The author wrote the study to highlight al-Qurtubi's contributions to resolving perceived textual inconsistencies—an area addressing over one hundred instances in his commentary—and to demonstrate that al-Jami' li-Ahkam al-Qur'an is an encyclopedic work extending beyond legal rulings to encompass broader Quranic sciences and theological defense .
Structure and Content
The book opens with an introductory prologue (tamhid) covering a brief biography and creedal background of al-Qurtubi, the distinctive features of his tafsir, and the conceptual definition and significance of resolving apparent contradiction (ta'arud) . The main body is divided into three chapters:
- Chapter One: Examines the interpretive mechanisms used to eliminate perceived contradictions across four sections: abrogation (al-naskh), generality and specificity (al-khusus wa-al-'umum), syntactic transposition (al-taqdim wa-al-ta'khir), and differing contextual occasions (ikhtilaf al-munasaba), analyzing five applied examples in each section for a total of twenty examples .
- Chapter Two: Analyzes al-Qurtubi's direct methodology across four sections: harmonizing verses through prophetic traditions (ahadith marfu'a), citing the statements of early scholars (al-salaf), appealing to Arabic linguistics and grammatical principles, and his presentation of conflicting verses—either by quoting both texts explicitly or by citing one and alluding to the other's meaning—covering nineteen applied examples .
- Chapter Three: Investigates al-Qurtubi's broader engagement with textual harmonization, including his reliance on earlier authorities, his influence on later commentators, the distinction between multiplying interpretations and purposefully dispelling contradictions, and the impact of his theological creed on perceived conflicts .
The work concludes with a summary of findings and recommendations, followed by general analytical indexes .
Method
For each analyzed case, the author presents the verses in apparent tension, outlines the nature of the perceived conflict, provides al-Qurtubi's resolution in concise summary points, and compares it with the approaches of preceding and succeeding exegetes . Each case concludes with an independent evaluation by the author based on textual and rational evidence .
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