Transformations in the interpretations of ‘tales of the ancients’
Journal Title: رهیافتهایی در علوم قرآن و حدیث - Year 2015, Vol 47, Issue 95
Abstract
For the first time, it is mentioned in the interpretation of Muqātil bin Sulayman that: ‘Nadr ibn al-Harith, who was familiar with the traditions of ancient Iran, claimed that the Qur’an contained ‘legends of the ancients’; i.e. stories like those of Rostam and Esfandiyār. Following Muqātil, commentators often quoted this view, associating and translating ‘legends of the ancients’ with and into mythologies and stories of ancient peoples. This understanding of the concept of ‘legends of the ancients’ is also seen in later interpretations. In this paper, the evolution of the concept of ‘legends of the ancients’ in interpretations has been investigated. In addition to what researchers have suggested, the following reasons have been presented in order to prove the assumption that ‘legends of the ancients’ refers to themes mentioned in the sacred texts prior to the Qur’an: (1) a semantics of the words ‘legends’ and ‘the ancients’ in the context of their association in Qur’anic verses; (2) the mismatch between Qur’anic themes and those of legends like Rostam and Esfandiyār; (3) the recognition of pre-Islamic scriptures in the Qur’an; (4) accusation and the Ifk (slandering) affair; (5) the themes preceding and following the verses which include the phrase ‘legends of the ancients’.
Authors and Affiliations
Mohammad Reza Hassani Jalilian
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP197895
- DOI 10.22067/naqhs.v47i2.19337
- Views 130
- Downloads 0
Schleiermacher’s Model and the Interaction of the Textual and Circumstantial Contexts in Hermeneutic Circle Proportionate to the Qur’ān
This research is intended to present an elucidation of interaction between textual context and circumstantial context while comprehending the text. This interaction is maintained in a specific hermeneutic circle of compr...
Interpretation of the Qur’ān through Qur’ān in Al-Tafsīr al-Kabīr
Most of the interpreters have taken into consideration the attesting to another āya by verbal preference in the interpretation of that āya in their books, and some of them have relied on context, instead; and all of thes...
The Creation Place of Adam, Father of Mankind, According to the Islamic and Jewish Texts
The story of the creation of the first human being has been an important element in the culture and faith of most of the world's nations. This story plays a significant role in modern man's culture and way of thinking. T...
An Introduction on the Evidences and Indices of the Reference Groups in the Holy Qur’ān
In addition to drawing attention to the individual and social responsibilities, the Holy Qur’ān has also talked about the importance of the social groups and emphasized on the efficacy of groups on individuals and other...
Reaction of People of Falsity in their Encounter with the Emergence of Truth on the Resurrection Day
Since the verses of the Qur’ān have been revealed for the guidance of human beings and their eternal happiness, the Holy Qur’ān makes every endeavor to illustrate human destiny on the Resurrection Day. The behavioral rea...