A Critical Analysis of Alexander D. Knysh’s View on the Exegetical Methods of Ghazali and Ibn Arabi

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Level 4 of the Field and Director of the Specialized Center of Islamic Sects (level 3) of Hazrat Wali Asr (AJ) of Gorgan, Iran

2 . Assistant Professor of the Department of Quranic and Hadith Sciences, Farabi Campus of Theology, University of Tehran. (Corresponding Author)

3 Department of Islamic Education, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran

10.22034/jqopv.2024.9431

Abstract

Alexander D. Knysh, author of the entry “Sufism and the Quran” in the Encyclopaedia of the Quran (Leiden), discusses the exegetical methodologies of Ghazali and Ibn Arabi. Knysh compares Ghazali’s interpretation (ta’wil) to the interpretation of dreams and visions, citing the apparent content of some of his books. This viewpoint is based on the opinions of older philosophers such as Avicenna (Ibn Sina), who saw Quranic interpretation as decoding its core meaning and essence. Knysh also criticizes Ibn Arabi of failing to give a coherent interpretative method, deviating from normal text interpretation reasoning, and using the Quran to support his notion of the oneness of being (wahdat al-wujud). By referring to the works of Ghazali and Ibn Arabi and employing an explanatory-analytical method, the author concludes that Ghazali, like other mystics, saw ta’wil as transcending the outward appearance to reach the inner meaning of the text while maintaining the validity of the verses’ outward meanings, rather than simply decoding the inner meanings. Furthermore, Ibn Arabi’s interpretations are meticulous, using both scientific and intuitive ways to interpret Quranic texts. In his interpretations, he draws on the principles and criteria of mystical exegesis and, using mystical insights, develops the thesis of unity of being. After a philosophical exposition of the theory and its ramifications, he utilized it to interpret unclear verses and resolve apparent inconsistencies in the Quran, distinguishing clearly between substantiated interpretation and subjective exegesis (tafsir biray).

Keywords

References

  1. Amid Zanjani, Abbas Ali, Mabani va Ravash-ha-ye Tafsir-e Quran (Foundations and Methods of Quranic Exegesis), Intesharat Vezarat Farhang va Ershad Eslami, Tehran: 1366 SH (1987 CE).
  2. Badawi, Abdulrahman, Tarikh-e Andishehha-ye Kalami dar Islam (History of Theological Thoughts in Islam), Translation: Hossein Saberi, Nashr Astan Quds, Mashhad: 1374 SH (1995 CE).
  3. Ebn Arabi, Mohiuddin, Al-Futuhat al-Makkiyah (The Meccan Manifestatoin ), Dar al-Sadir, Beirut: n.d.
  4. Ebn Arabi, Mohiuddin, Fusus al-Hikam (The Bezels of Wisdom), Intesharat al-Zahra, N.p.: 1370 SH (1991 CE).
  5. Ebn Sina, Hossein, Al-Esharat wa al-Tanbihat (The Admonitions and Remarks), Nashr Balaghah, Qom: 1375 SH (1996 CE).
  6. Ebn Sina, Hossein, Al-Shifa’ (al-Ilahiyat) (The Book of Healing - Metaphysics), Maktabah Ayatollah Mar’ashi, Qom: 1404 AH (1984 CE).
  7. Fayz Kashani, Mohsen, Tafsir Safi (The Pure Exegesis), Intesharat al-Sadr, Tehran: 1415 AH (1995 CE).
  8. Ghazali, Abu Hamid, Jawahir al-Quran wa Durrah (The Jewels and the Pearls of the Quran), Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyah, Beirut: 1409 AH (1989 CE).
  9. Ghazali, Abu Hamid, Majmoo’eh Asar (Meshkat al-Anwar) (Collected Works: The Niche of Lights), Dar al-Fikr, Beirut: 1416 AH (1995 CE).
  10. Hassan Zadeh Amoli, Hassan, Mamdu al-Himam dar Sharh-e Fusus al-Hikam (The Ambitious in the Explanation of “The Bezels of Wisdom”), Intesharat Vezarat Farhang va Ershad Eslami, Tehran: 1378 SH (1999 CE).
  11. Hodavi Tehrani, Mahdi, Mabani-ye Kalami Ejtehad dar Bardasht az Quran Karim (Theological Foundations of Ijtihad in Understanding the Holy Quran), Mo’asseseh Farhangi Khaneh Khord, Qom: 1377 SH (1998 CE).
  12. Karami, Meysam, Ghazali-Shenasi (Gozideh Maqalat) (Studies on Ghazali: Selected Articles), Intesharat Hekmat, Tehran: 1389 SH (2010 CE).
  13. Khomeini, Ruhollah, Mesbah al-Hidayah ela al-Khilafah wa al-Wilayah (The Lamp of Guidance to Vicegerency and Guardianship), Mo’asseseh Tanzim va Nashr Asar-e Imam Khomeini, Tehran: 1376 SH (1997 CE).
  14. Khomeini, Ruhollah, Tahdhib al-Usul (Refinement of the Principles of Jurisprudence), Nashr Esma’iliyan, N.p.: 1382 AH (1962 CE).
  15. Knysh, Alexander D., «Courage», in Encyclopaedia of the Qur’ān, Edited by Jane Dammen McAuliffe, Brill, Leiden: 2001.
  16. Knysh, Alexander D., «Months», in Encyclopaedia of the Qur’ān, Edited by Jane Dammen McAuliffe, Brill, Leiden: 2003.
  17. Knysh, Alexander D., "Multiple areas of influence", The Cambridge companion to the Qur'n, Edited by Jane Dammen McAuliffe, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge: 2006.
  18. Knysh, Alexander D., «Possession and possessions», in Encyclopaedia of the Qur’ān, Edited by: Jane Dammen McAuliffe, Brill, Leiden: 2004.
  19. Knysh, Alexander D., «Power and impotence», in Encyclopaedia of the Qur’ān, Edited by: Jane Dammen McAuliffe, Brill, Leiden: 2004.
  20. Knysh, Alexander D., «Ṣūfism and the Qur’ān», in Encyclopaedia of the Qur’ān, Edited by: Jane Dammen McAuliffe, Brill, Leiden: 2005.
  21. Kulayni, Mohammad ibn Ya’qub, Al-Kafi (The Sufficient), Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyah, Tehran: 1365 SH (1986 CE).
  22. Ma’refat, Mohammad Hadi, Al-Tafsir wa al-Mufassirun fi Thawbih al-Qashib (Exegesis and Exegetes in its New Version), Jame’eh Razaviyah, Mashhad: 1418 AH (1997 CE).
  23. Majlesi, Mohammad Baqir, Bihar al-Anwar (The Seas of Lights), Al-Maktabah al-Islamiyah, Tehran: 1366 SH (1987 CE).
  24. Mo’addab, Seyyed Reza, Ravish-ha-ye Tafsir-e Quran (Methods of Quranic Exegesis), Eshraq, Qom: 1380 SH (2001 CE).
  25. Rezaei Esfahani, Mohammad Ali, Darsnameh Ravash-ha va Gerayesh-ha-ye Tafsiri-ye Quran (Textbook on Methods and Trends of Quranic Exegesis), Markaz Jahani Oloum Eslami (International Center for Islamic Studies), Qom: 1382 SH (2003 CE).
  26. Rezaei Haftadar, Hassan and Vahid Amullar, “Naghde Pazhoohesh-e Heribert Bosseh darbareh Yunus (A)” (Critique of Heribert Busse’s Research on Jonah), Quran Pazhoohi Khavaraneshan (Journal of Orientalists’ Quranic Studies), No. 19, Fall and Winter 1394 SH (2015 CE).
  27. Rezaei Haftadar, Hassan, “Arzyabi-e Aara-ye Qurani Barkhi Khavaranashen-e Mo’aser” (Evaluation of the Quranic Views of Some Contemporary Orientalists), Quran Pazhoohi Khavaraneshan (Journal of Orientalists’ Quranic Studies), No. 29, Fall and Winter 1399 SH (2020 CE).
  28. Sadr al-Din Qunavi, Mohammad ibn Ishaq, E’jaz al-Bayan fi Tafsir Umm al-Quran (The Miracle of Expression in the Exegesis of the Mother of the Book), Edited by: Seyyed Jalal al-Din Ashtiani, Bustan-e Ketab, Qom: 1381 SH (2002 CE).
  29. Sadr al-Mote’allehin, Mohammad ibn Ebrahim, Mafatih al-Ghayb (The Keys to the Unseen), Mo’asseseh al-Tarikh al-Arabi, Beirut: 1999 CE.
  30. Salmanzadeh, Javad, “Karbar-e ‘Vazheh-ha-ye Kelidi’ dar Shenakht-e Gerayesh-e Tafsiri-ye Mofasser ba Ta’kid bar Matn-e Tafsiri-ye Ayatollah Alavi Sabzevari” (Application of ‘Key Terms’ in Identifying the Exegetical Orientation of the Commentator with Emphasis on the Exegetical Text of Ayatollah Alavi Sabzevari), Dofaslname Motale’at Sabk Shenasi-ye Quran Karim (Biannual Journal of Methodogical Studies of the Holy Quran), Spring and Summer, Volume 8, No. 1, 1403 SH (2024 CE).
  31. Shaker, Mohammad Kazem, Mabani va Ravash-ha-ye Tafsiri (Foundations and Methods of Exegesis), Markaz Jahani Oloum Eslami, Qom: 1382 SH (2003 CE).
  32. Tabatabaei, Mohammad Hossein, Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran (The Balance in the Exegesis of the Quran), Daftar Entesharat-e Jami’eh Modarresin, Qom: 1417 AH (1996 CE).
  33. Yazdanpanah, Seyyed Yadollah and Javadi Vala, Mahmoud, “Jari va Tatbiq, Ravash-ha va Mabani-e An” (The Running and Application: Its Methods and Foundations), Hekmat-e Erfaani (Mystical Wisdom), No. 4, Fall and Winter 1391 SH (2012 CE).
  34. Yazdanpanah, Seyyed Yadollah, “Barrasi Osul va Mabani Ta’vil-e Erfaani az Manzar-e Revayat” (A Study on the Principles and Foundations of Mystical Interpretation from the Perspective of Narrations), Hekmat-e Erfaani (Mystical Wisdom), No. 5, Spring and Summer 1392 SH (2013 CE).
  35. Yazdanpanah, Seyyed Yadollah, Mabani va Osul-e Erfaan-e Nazari (Foundations and Principles of Theoretical Mysticism), Intesharat Mo’asseseh Amoozeshi va Pazhooheshi Imam Khomeini (Publicaiton of Imam Khomeini Educational and Research Institute), Qom: 1393 SH (2014 CE).
The Qur’an from Orientalists Point of View
Volume 19, Issue 36 - Serial Number 36
September 2024
Pages 37-60

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 04 October 2023
  • Revise Date: 28 May 2023
  • Accept Date: 22 August 2024

Share

How to cite

Statistics