The Rules of Interpretation: How do Al-Qir?’?t Applied in Shihab’s Exegesis?

Abstract

Shihab is a scholar who has produced a comprehensive 30-chapter exegesis entitled Tafsir Al-Mishbah. In his exegesis of the Qur’an he applied several rules and were commonly observed by other exegetes to ensure their exegeses are in line with Islamic law. In view of this precedent, this study seeks to analyse the rules of interpretation applied by Shihab with special reference on his application of the qir?’?t ‘readings’. To reach representative conclusions, this study undertakes an analysis of his exegesis by adopting the document analysis method by making language scriptures and venerated exegeses as the main sources of reference. This is to ensure that the rules that he had employed can be analyzed perfectly and also consistent with the conclusion made by the scholars. The study found that Shihab applied two rules related to qir?’at in his methodology, which have been affirmed by both scholars and exegetes.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n1s1p97