Shia Quran Interpretation Methods Based on Imam Sadeq’s (AS) Approach

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) -  All Shia methods of Quran interpretation have originated from Imam Sadeq’s (AS) Quran interpretation approach, a university scholar said.In an interview, academic board member of the University of Tehran Zahra Rezazadeh Askari pointed to Quran with Quran interpretation, citing the Asbab-ul-Nuzul (the contexts and occasions of the Revelation of the Quran) and pointing to examples as some of the methods used by the 6th Imam (AS) to interpret verses of the Holy Book.She referred to the political conditions in Imam Sadeq’s (AS) era, saying that in that time, due to the power struggles between the Umayyads and Abbasids, the conditions became favorable for the Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS), especially Imam Sadeq (AS) to present the teachings of Islam to Shi’ites and extensively introduce Fiqhi (jurisprudential), interpretational and theological discussions in the Islamic society.“As conditions were favorable at the time of Imam Sadeq (AS) for conveying religious teachings, the largest number of Hadiths about interpretation have been narrated from the imam (AS). These Hadiths can be seen in interpretational books such as Tafsir Al-Burhan by Bahrani and Tafsir Nour Ul-Thaqalayn by Howeyzi.Rezazadeh Askari that the Imams (AS) interpreted the Quran with their Ladoni knowledge (immediate knowledge) not knowledge learned in school.“The Imam’s (AS) interpretation was in a way that the students learned the methods, she said, adding that Imam Sadeq (AS) in his expounding method of Quran interpretation made references to two sources: one the Quran and the other the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS).The scholar referred to Hadiths by Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Imam Ali (AS), quoting them as saying that parts of the Book of God interpret other parts and that some verses are proof to other verses.“Hence, some believe that the Quran-with-Quran interpretation method is endorsed by the Quran and the Infallibles (AS).”Rezazadeh Askari further said that Imam Sadeq (AS) was indeed the reviver of the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) Sunna (tradition) and spread the teachings of Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS).She went on to say that when narrating a Hadith, Imam Sadeq (AS) would directly narrated from the Holy Prophet (AS) to draw attention to the fact that what he said was the same as what the Holy prophet (PBUH) had said. /129