Al-Kashshaaf
Encyclopedia
Al-Kashshaaf 'an Haqa'iq at-Tanzil, popularly known as Al-Kashshaaf ("the Revealer", al-Kashāf) is a seminal tafsir
(commentary on the Qur'an
) by Al-Zamakhshari
written in the 12th century. Considered a primary source by all major scholars, it is famous for its deep linguistic analysis, demonstrations of the supremacy of declamation of the Quran, and the representation of the method the Quran uses to convey meaning using literary elements and figurative speech. However, it is criticized for the inclusion of Muʿtazilah
philosophical views.
willing to do so must have deep knowledge of Arabic language, literature, eloquence and culture, alongside critical thinking skills, a highly disciplined way of studying and general academic skills.
Comments are a blend of logic and narrative, including many hadith
(though the only source stated for these narratives is Sahih Muslim
) and older accounts of Arabic poems. A very elegant analysis of words is done throughout the commentary, while figurative expressions are broken down, and appropriate qira'at
is chosen where needed. Abrogated
verses are indicated along with their successors. Verses containing islamic jurisprudence are deduced according to the Hanafi
school of law. Verses that seem contrary are reconciled. Some older comments are criticized, especially those of Sufi origin.
era alone, more than 200 refutations have been written against these views.
as a means to support his opinions without proper investigation of authentication. Al-Zamakhshari does not cite any references to the origin of narratives, and has included many parables without any fulcrum.
Tafsir
Tafseer is the Arabic word for exegesis or commentary, usually of the Qur'an. Ta'wīl is a subset of tafsir and refers to esoteric or mystical interpretation. An author of tafsir is a mufassir .- Etymology :...
(commentary on the Qur'an
Qur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
) by Al-Zamakhshari
Al-Zamakhshari
Abu al-Qasim Mahmud ibn Umar al-Zamakhshari. Known widely as al-Zamakhshari . Also called Jar Allah was a medieval Muslim scholar of Chorasmian-Iranian origin, who subscribed to the Muʿtazilite theological doctrine, who was born in Khwarezmia, but lived most of his life in Bukhara, Samarkand, and...
written in the 12th century. Considered a primary source by all major scholars, it is famous for its deep linguistic analysis, demonstrations of the supremacy of declamation of the Quran, and the representation of the method the Quran uses to convey meaning using literary elements and figurative speech. However, it is criticized for the inclusion of Muʿtazilah
Mu'tazili
' is an Islamic school of speculative theology that flourished in the cities of Basra and Baghdad, both in present-day Iraq, during the 8th–10th centuries. The adherents of the Mu'tazili school are best known for their having asserted that, because of the perfect unity and eternal nature of God,...
philosophical views.
Background
Al-Zamakhshari strongly insisted that scholars of the Muʿtazilah sect should have a basis tafsir of their own. Therefore he started writing his commentary in 1132, after he was convinced by Emîr Ebü'l-Hasan İbn Vehhâs while he was residing in Mecca, and finished it in two years. He himself states that writing such a book in a short time is a blessing of God. During his research, he referred to many older works and commentaries, especially Zeccac’s Mean’il-Kuran, which constitutes the basis of his work.Content
In the preface, it is pointed out that commenting on the Quran is a challenging and difficult effort; and any mufassirTafsir
Tafseer is the Arabic word for exegesis or commentary, usually of the Qur'an. Ta'wīl is a subset of tafsir and refers to esoteric or mystical interpretation. An author of tafsir is a mufassir .- Etymology :...
willing to do so must have deep knowledge of Arabic language, literature, eloquence and culture, alongside critical thinking skills, a highly disciplined way of studying and general academic skills.
Comments are a blend of logic and narrative, including many hadith
Hadith
The term Hadīth is used to denote a saying or an act or tacit approval or criticism ascribed either validly or invalidly to the Islamic prophet Muhammad....
(though the only source stated for these narratives is Sahih Muslim
Sahih Muslim
Sahih Muslim is one of the Six major collections of the hadith in Sunni Islam, oral traditions relating to the words and deeds of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. It is the second most authentic hadith collection after Sahih Al-Bukhari, and is highly acclaimed by Sunni Muslims...
) and older accounts of Arabic poems. A very elegant analysis of words is done throughout the commentary, while figurative expressions are broken down, and appropriate qira'at
Qira'at
In Islam, Qira'at, which means literally the readings, terminologically means the method of recitation. Traditionally, there are 10 recognised schools of qira'at, and each one derives its name from a famous reader of Qur'an recitation....
is chosen where needed. Abrogated
Naskh
Naskh has the following meanings:* Naskh is a type of script for the Arabic language* Naskh is an exegetical theory in Islamic law...
verses are indicated along with their successors. Verses containing islamic jurisprudence are deduced according to the Hanafi
Hanafi
The Hanafi school is one of the four Madhhab in jurisprudence within Sunni Islam. The Hanafi madhhab is named after the Persian scholar Abu Hanifa an-Nu‘man ibn Thābit , a Tabi‘i whose legal views were preserved primarily by his two most important disciples, Abu Yusuf and Muhammad al-Shaybani...
school of law. Verses that seem contrary are reconciled. Some older comments are criticized, especially those of Sufi origin.
Muʿtazilah viewpoint
One of the most criticized aspects of Al-Zamakhshari’s interpretations is his adaptation of Quranic verses according to the Mu’tazilah viewpoint. Al-Zamakhshari has interpreted verses that cohere with his viewpoint as muhkem (rigid), and those which don’t as mutashâbih (allegorical), and has abandoned the apparent meanings of some verses for the sake of preserving a strict Mu’tazilah view. Although Sunni scholars have recognized his book as a landmark, they have nearly always included supercomments with the book, clarifying the mistakes and differences of Mu’tazilah. During the OttomanOttoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
era alone, more than 200 refutations have been written against these views.
Frequent use of weak narratives
Scholars cite that Al-Zamakhshari uses narrativesHadith
The term Hadīth is used to denote a saying or an act or tacit approval or criticism ascribed either validly or invalidly to the Islamic prophet Muhammad....
as a means to support his opinions without proper investigation of authentication. Al-Zamakhshari does not cite any references to the origin of narratives, and has included many parables without any fulcrum.