Al-Qassab's Approach to the Sciences of the Qur'an That He Employed In Writing Jokes of the Qur'an and Its Impact on Its Interpretation

Abstract

     This study aims to investigate the approach of the specialist in Hadith studies, Imam Abu Ahmad Muhammad bin Ali bin Muhammad al-Karaji, better known as Al-Qassab (Died 360 AH, corresponding to 970 AD), and the impact of such approach upon his exegesis entitled “Nukat Al-Qur'an Al-Dallah 'Ala Al-Bayan on Quranic Sciences and Provisions”.

     This study has used the inductive approach in connection with the areas of Qur'anic sciences addressed in Imam Al-Qassab’s book, while further relying upon the analytical approach when presenting his knowledge in dissecting each one of those Qur'anic sciences and the impact of each upon his exegesis after conducting an extensive study of those areas in each science.

This study consists of an introduction, three chapters and a conclusion.

     The first chapter provides a brief biography of the Imam Al-Qassab (May Allah be merciful to him) and addresses the approach adopted thereby in his exegesis entitled “Nukat al-Qur'an al-Dallah 'ala al-Bayan on Quranic sciences and provisions”. The second chapter provides an overview of Qur'anic sciences and the approach adopted by the Imam Al-Qassab (May Allah be merciful to him) in addressing such sciences and how it was employed thereby in his exegesis. The third chapter explores the impact of Qur'anic sciences upon the exegesis authored by the Imam Al-Qassab (May Allah be merciful to him). The conclusion of the study sets forth the key findings arrived at by the researcher, including the skillful application by the author of Qur'anic sciences when dissecting Qur'anic verses and his orderly approach to all Qur'anic surahs, first mentioning the name of each surah before commencing the explanation thereof, highlighting the various approved recitations (Qira'ates), unfamiliar words of the Qur'an (Ghareeb al-Qur'an"), Homonyms (multiple-meaning words), and metaphorical expressions included therein, with the exception of the Divine Names and Attributes(Al-Asma' wa al-Sifat), all the while using Qur'anic sciences to prove the validity of the classical Sunni sect of Ahlu-Sunna Wal Jama'ah and the invalidity of other aberrant sects.

     The recommendations formulated by this study include conducting an in-depth study of the preponderant interpretations as set forth in the exegesis entitled “Nukat al-Qur'an al-Dallah 'ala al-Bayan on Quranic sciences and provisions” authored by the Imam Al-Qassab. The interpretation is based upon the holy Quran and the prophet’s traditions as applied by the Imam Al-Qassab and the impact thereof upon his exegesis and finally searching for, verifying and authenticating other books authored by the Imam Al-Qassab whose lofty scholarly status, farsightedness and distinctive inferencing method, as shown by his major exegesis mentioned above.