Exegetes' Views and Revelation Contexts in Interpretation

In preceding chapters, we've delved into the Qur'an's significance, reason's function, and the impact of the Infallibles' (a.s.) narrations on interpreting the Qur'an. We now shift our focus towards understanding the influence of exegetes' perspectives and the narratives surrounding the occasions of revelation on the interpretative process.

Exegetes' Views: Analogous to jurisprudence, where jurists' opinions and fatwās hold no compulsory sway over others in deducing legal precepts from religious sources, the insights of exegetes serve a similar auxiliary role. These insights aid in acquainting oneself with the Qur'an and understanding various interpretive viewpoints but do not possess binding authority, regardless of whether the exegetes belong to the era of the Companions, the Followers, or later generations. The absence of infallibility among these scholars means their interpretations do not offer definitive proof or an authoritative basis for legal rulings within the sacred law—except in cases where they provide narrations, connecting back to earlier discussions.

If the understandings offered by the Companions or Followers were presented in the presence of the Infallibles (a.s.) and there existed a chance for their rejection or correction, but no such refutation occurred, it signifies the acceptance of those understandings. However, this acceptance doesn't imply that these understandings are the sole perspectives to be considered. This is unless a particular stance is explicitly invalidated by the Infallibles, highlighting that any contradictory understanding to the one held by the Companions is incorrect.

Occasion of revelation: The statements concerning the occasions and reasons for the revelation of Qur'anic verses fall into several categories:

a) Historical accounts not directly narrated from an infallible (a.s.), such as reports attributed to Ibn ʿAbbās about the context of a verse's revelation. These accounts, similar to the insights of exegetes, serve as aids to understanding but do not possess inherent authoritative value. However, if certainty is achieved in a specific instance—say, through a compelling statement by Ibn ʿAbbās—then that certainty is deemed reliable. This differs from an authentic ḥadīth, which holds devotional authority even in the absence of such certainty.

b) Narrations with an uncertain or unreliable chain of transmission. While distinct from ordinary human speech—owing to the potential for these accounts to originate from the Infallibles (a.s.) and thus warranting respect—they lack the requisite level of authentication to be considered authoritative or binding.

c) Occasions of revelation that are conveyed through narrations with a sound and reliable chain of transmission hold the authority to elucidate the occasion or cause behind a verse's revelation. However, similar to applied (taṭbīqī) narrations, they do not confine the verse's meaning to a specific scope or breadth. These narrations illuminate instances or cases within the general concept of the verse, without acting as its specifier (mukhaṣṣiṣ) or its qualifier (muqayyid). While they don't restrict the generality or absoluteness of a verse, they serve as valuable guidance for the exegete, aiding in interpreting the verse in a manner that aligns with its demonstrated instance.

Note: The discussion excludes specific occasions of revelation, including those mentioned in connection with verses such as the verse of purification (taṭhīr), mutual imprecation (mubāhala), and guardianship (wilāya), among others.

The verses of the Qur'an are not confined to the specific circumstances or individuals that initially inspired their revelation. This timeless principle is captured in the saying, "If a verse died with the death of those about whom it was revealed, nothing would remain of the Qur'an. But the Qur'an applies to the first of them and the last of them as long as the heavens and the earth remain." This affirms the Qur'an's universal and eternal nature, ensuring its guidance transcends any temporal or situational confines.

Echoing this eternal relevance, Imām al-Bāqir (a.s.) beautifully analogizes The Qur'an's guidance to the constant illumination provided by the celestial bodies, stating, "It moves through the firmament as the sun and the moon move... It is for the dead as it is for the living." Just as the sun and moon shine impartially, providing light and guidance to all of creation, The Qur'an's teachings persist through time, offering wisdom and enlightenment to every generation. These teachings are not merely historical artifacts but living, breathing guidance that remains as applicable to the lives of the modern faithful as to those present at the time of its revelation. (121)

Addressing the timeless relevance and enduring freshness of The Qur'an, Imām al-Ṣādiq (a.s.) elucidates its divine protection against obsolescence and erosion, asserting, "Because God—blessed and exalted is He—did not make it for one time to the exclusion of another, nor for some people to the exclusion of others. So it is new at all times and fresh for every people until the Day of Resurrection." (122)

Note: Taking into account the exclusive references highlighted by certain narrations regarding the occasions of revelation, it's noted that verses such as the verse of guardianship (5:55), the verse of mutual imprecation (3:61), and the verse of purification (33:33) bear specific and singular references to the sanctified individuals of the Prophet's Household.

These narrations underscore the verses' particular relevance and application to these exalted figures. Importantly, the enduring nature of these verses is further emphasized by the understanding that their significance is not diminished nor effaced with the physical departure of these sacred beings from the world.