Abstract:

Understanding and interpretation of allegorical verses are regarded as one of the most significant topics in Quranic Exegesis. Ibn Furek, one of prominent scholars in science of Kalam, has given importance on interpretation of allegorical verses in his Tafseer, and he has embraced an interpretive method which is a different one from the traditional approach. In particular, it is essential to understand his thoughts on interpretation of allegorical verses, and to examine method of Ibn Furek’s Tafseer discretely, Mushkilu’l-hadith ve bayanuh, in which he has striven to provide commentaries within the scope of certain tenets and principles. Moreover, the time period in which he lived has witnessed to major problems of Kalam. Ibn Furek is a scholar who experienced those problems and sought solutions for the problems. This increases importance of the topic I deal with in this paper. The article consists of four parts. Biography of Ibn Furek and a brief examination of his tafseer takes place within the first two parts of this study. Then, I point to approaches of some scholars who draw attention to allegorical verses, including a few scholars from salaf ( the predecessor), khalaf (the successor), and some figures from Mutazila, Mucessima and Mushabbiha. Views of Ibn Furek on allegorical verses which are in line with those of the predecessor scholars are presented in the last part of the article. I have drawn on extant Tafseer of Ibn Furek so as to lay out his views in the last part of this study.

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