Linguistics and theology (kalām) as the exegetical premise and context of understanding in the Qur'an commentary at-Tafsīr al-kabīr of the Faḫr ad-Dīn ar-Rāzī on the example of the divine show in Q 6:103

Abstract

What significance does linguistics have for the discipline of Qur’an exegesis? Kamil Öktem takes up this question in his essay on ar-Rāzī's Qur'an commentary and gives an overview of the various hermeneutic approaches and definitions of this Islamic discipline. He shows in the case study of the divine vision in Paradise (ru'yat Allāh), which is discussed in Q 6:103, how ar-Rāzī in his Qur'an commentary at-Tafsīr al-kabīr applies theological and linguistic knowledge. After a detailed methodical examination of ar-Rāzī’s interpretation of Q 6:103, he concludes that, on the one hand, "linguistics were a very important and functionally crucial element in the early Qur’an exegesis" and, on the other hand, that there is great scope for interpretation in the theological discussions taking place in the Kalām discussions.