آفاق الحضارة الاسلامية

آفاق الحضارة الاسلامية

The Imams' (PBUH) commonalities and differences in their use of various interpretive narrations (Imam Ali (PBUH) to Imam al-Sadiq (PBUH))

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
1 Professor of Quranic and Hadith Sciences, Payame Noor University of Tehran,Iran
2 Ph.D. Candidate of Nahj al-Balagheh Studies, Payame Noor University of Tehran,Iran.
Abstract
From the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUH) there have been many narrations in the explanation and interpretation of the Holy Qur'an, which in total reach dozens of types. And this diversity in hadiths has helped to understand the verses of the Qur'an effectively. And each of the imams (a. s.), despite the differences in time and social and political conditions, have left behind valuable materials in different types of methods for interpreting the verses; As if one person is interpreting the Qur'an and expressing its concepts over time. And in this way, we can point out some differences between them. Also, in the narrations related to Jari and implementation, in various types of Jari, there are many commonalities between them and there are also differences that are mainly due to the currents and political and social conditions of those elders. In this article, an attempt is made to investigate the commonalities and differences of the mentioned imams (a. s.) in the field of interpretive narrations with the descriptive-analytical method.
Keywords: Types of Interpretive Narrations, Continuation and Adaptation, Sharing and Separation, The First Six Imams.
 
 
Introduction
The Ahlul-Bayt (peace be upon them), as interpreters of the Holy Quran, played a crucial role in explaining and reinforcing its teachings. Their sayings have been referenced by numerous scholars and thinkers throughout history. By examining the narrations transmitted from these esteemed figures, we see that they employed various methods, including Quranic interpretation using the Quran itself, Quranic interpretation using narrations, rational and scientific interpretation, conceptual interpretation, and so on. Each of these prominent figures benefited from these methods to some degree, and each method possesses its own specific characteristics. We also find many narrations that demonstrate the application of the principle of "application and application" in its various forms. The question that arises in these matters is: despite the differences in time, circumstances, and the social and political situations of each of the Imams (peace be upon them), what are the commonalities or differences among them in discussing the various interpretive methods? This is what we will explore in this article. In summary, regarding the types of narrations from the Ahlul-Bayt (peace be upon them), there has been discussion in books and articles, along with examples of the different types of narrations from the innocent (peace be upon them). Various aspects of this topic have been investigated. Of course, in the form of a study, and to the extent that it expresses all types of narrations about each of the innocent Imams (peace be upon them), nothing more can be seen. Below we mention some points:
 
Materials & Methods                                                                                                                                                  
This research utilized a descriptive-analytical method to investigate the interpretive narrations attributed to the first six Imams (Imam Ali ( a.s) to Imam al-Sadiq ( a.s. ). The study systematically categorized the narrations into twenty different types of interpretation, including: Word Interpretation, the Occasion of Revelation, Jurisprudential Interpretation, Rational-Scientific Interpretation, Practical Interpretation, Metaphorical Interpretation, Interpretation of Ambiguous Verses, Interpretation of Signals, Interpretation of Events, Quran by Quran Interpretation, Quran by Narrations Interpretation, Interpretation via Historical Events, Jari and Tatbiq, Expression of Doctrinal Topics, Clarifying Instances, Expression of Different Readings, Expression of Inner Meaning,  Expression of Rhetorical Points, Answering Doubts, and Expression of Educational Points. The methodology involved cross-referencing these types across the Imams’ narrations.                                                                                    
Discussion & Result                                                                                                                                                      
The analysis revealed significant commonalities, such as the presence of Word Interpretation, Quran by Quran Interpretation, Jari and Tatbiq , and Interpretation via Historical Events across all six Imams. Key differences were also noted: The expression of Educational Points was found only in the narrations of Imam al-Baqir ( a.s) and Imam al-Sadiq ( a.s ). Addressing Doctrinal Issues was more prominent in the narrations of Imam al-Husayn ( a.s ) and Imam al-Baqir ( a.s.). Interpretation of Ambiguous Verses, Signals, and Event Topics was exclusive to Imam Ali ( a.s ). Jurisprudential Interpretations were absent in Imam al-Hasan ( a.s. a.s. )'s narrations. Rhetorical Points appeared only in the interpretations of the fourth and fifth Imams. The findings suggest that while the Imams operate from a unified source of light, their specific focus in interpretive types was influenced by the socio-political currents of their respective eras.                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                
Conclusion
An analytical study of the interpretive methodologies of the infallible Imams (peace be upon them), from Imam Ali to Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon them), reveals an important scientific and spiritual truth: the interpretation of the Holy Qur’an by the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) is an integrated system encompassing linguistic, jurisprudential, intellectual, historical, and social dimensions. The apparent differences in interpretive approaches stem from the varying temporal and political circumstances of each Imam, not from fundamental methodological differences. The results show clear commonalities, such as an emphasis on application, interpreting the Qur’an with the Qur’an, and adhering to the rational method in specific instances. Furthermore, each Imam had a distinct or specialized field of interpretation, tailored to the needs of society and the conditions of the era. The interpretive narrations also reveal the depth of culture and faith, reflecting the missionary dimension of the Ahl al-Bayt’s (peace be upon them) interpretation. From this perspective, it can be said that the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) combined theory and practice, the practical interpretation and revival of the Holy Qur’an, to present a comprehensive model for human interaction with the divine text, suitable for all times and places. What has been mentioned represents approximately the instances found in the narrations of the Imams (peace be upon them). In some of these instances, the content was attributed to the six Imams, such as: explaining the reasons for revelation, interpreting words, interpreting verses of the Quran, employing analogy and application, and explaining certain topics in Quranic sciences. In other instances, commonalities were observed among two or more of these noble figures. For example, in explaining verses of rulings, practical interpretations were found from Imam Ali (peace be upon him), Imam Hasan (peace be upon him), and Imam Baqir (peace be upon him). References to different readings were also found in the hadiths related to Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) and Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him). Scientific and empirical interpretations appeared in the hadiths of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) and Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him). References to historical events and their details were found in the narrations of Imam Ali (peace be upon him), Imam Hasan (peace be upon him), and Imam Husayn (peace be upon him). Literary and rhetorical interpretations were of particular interest to the three Imams Sajjad (peace be upon him), Baqir (peace be upon him), and Sadiq (peace be upon him). Some of this content was presented more extensively in only one of these narrations. For example, some specific Shiite beliefs (al-Bada’) were mentioned in the narrations of Imam al-Husayn (a.s.), and the expression of educational points in interpretation is noticeable in the narrations of Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) and Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.).
Keywords
Subjects

                   اشتراکات و افتراقات امامان معصوم (ع) در استفاده از روایات تفسیری مختلف

                                                  (از امام علی (ع) تا امام صادق (ع))

                                                                                                        محمد هادی امین ناجی[1]

                                                                                                          پریوش علیزاده[2]

 

چکیده

روایات متعددی از اهل بیت (علیهم السلام) در مورد تفسیر قرآن کریم نقل شده است که به ده‌ها نوع مختلف می‌رسد. این تنوع احادیث به درک عمیق‌تر آیات قرآن کمک شایانی کرده است. هر یک از امامان (علیهم السلام) با وجود تفاوت در زمان، شرایط اجتماعی و سیاسی، مطالب ارزشمندی در روش‌های مختلف تفسیر آیات از خود به یادگار گذاشته‌اند. با توجه به اهمیت و نقش سنت در تفسیر آیات الهی، شناسایی انواع مختلف احادیث اهل بیت (علیهم السلام) و روشن شدن وجوه اشتراک و افتراق آنها ضروری بود. این امر با مراجعه به کتاب‌ها، مقالات و تفاسیر روایی مختلف شیعه و سنی محقق شد و نتایج ارزشمندی به همراه داشت. از جمله این نتایج، این واقعیت است که این بزرگواران در تفسیر خود از روش‌های متنوعی مانند تفسیر قرآن به آیات، تفسیر آن به روایات، تبیین معانی الفاظ، تفسیر عمومات آیات، رد شبهات، تفسیر به وقایع تاریخی، استفاده از تمثیل، استفاده از صنایع ادبی، مثال‌ها و معانی ظاهری و باطنی و موارد دیگر استفاده می‌کردند. تفاوت در این است که برخی از امامان (علیهم السلام) از روش‌هایی استفاده می‌کردند که دیگران از آنها استفاده نمی‌کردند. یا شاید تعداد روایات در برخی موارد بیشتر یا کمتر از موارد دیگر بوده است. علاوه بر این، در روایات مربوط به جری و تطبیق، اشتراکات و همچنین تفاوت‌های زیادی وجود دارد که عمدتاً از شرایط سیاسی و اجتماعی این علما ناشی می‌شود. در این مقاله، سعی داریم با رویکردی توصیفی-تحلیلی، اشتراکات و اختلافات بین امامان مذکور (علیهم السلام) را در حوزه روایات تفسیری بررسی و مطالعه کنیم.

کلمات کلیدی: روایات تفسیری، جری و تطبیق، اشتراک و اختلاف، شش امام اول (علیهم السلام).

 



[1] استاد گروه علوم قرآن و حدیث، دانشگاه پیام نور، تهران، ایران. aminnaji@pnu.ac.ir.

2دانشجوی دکتری علوم و معارف نهج البلاغه، دانشگاه پیام نور، تهران، ایران (نویسنده مسئول). palizadehptf@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

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Volume 28, Issue 2 - Serial Number 56
Autumn & Winter
February 2026
Pages 71-113

  • Receive Date 04 December 2024
  • Revise Date 18 December 2025
  • Accept Date 22 February 2026
  • Publish Date 01 February 2026