Tafsir al-Razi (book)
 | |
| Book Information | |
|---|---|
| Author | Muhammad b. 'Umar al-Razi |
| Religion | Sunni |
| Language | Arabic |
| Subject | Quranic exegesis |
| Number of Volumes | thirty-two |
| Publication Information | |
| Publisher | Maktab Tahqiq Dar Ihya' al-Turath al-'Arabi |
| Place of Publication | Lebanon |
| Publication Year | 1420 AH |
| Format | Ruq'i |
*Tafsir al-Fakhr al-Razi*, known as *al-Tafsir al-Kabir* and *Mafatih al-Ghayb*, is the most important and comprehensive work by Fakhr al-Din Muhammad b. 'Umar al-Razi, an Ash'ari theologian and exegete of the sixth and seventh centuries AH, and one of the most important and prominent Sunni exegeses of the Holy Quran in Arabic. *Tafsir al-Razi* is known as *al-Tafsir al-Kabir* due to its very large volume.
Author
Main article: "Fakhr al-Razi"
Fakhr al-Razi (Fakhr al-Din Abu 'Abd Allah Muhammad b. 'Umar b. Husayn b. Hasan al-Taymi al-Bakri al-Tabaristani al-Razi), known as Fakhr al-Razi, was born in 544 AH in Ray and passed away in 606 AH in Herat. He was a prominent Iranian scholar, also known as "Ibn al-Khatib," "Imam al-Razi," "Imam Fakhr al-Razi," and "Imam al-Mushakkikin." His father, Diya' al-Din 'Umar b. Husayn al-Tabaristani, was himself a great scholar and mystic who had migrated from Amol to Ray.
Content of the Book
- Tafsir Fakhr al-Razi*, in thirty-two volumes, begins with a structured organization and a detailed introduction, providing information about the name, place of revelation, and number of verses of each sura. Subsequently, by mentioning the verses, it explains their connection to previous verses and proceeds to narrate and examine traditions related to the Companions and the Successors, as well as issues of abrogation and hadith terminology. Then, it divides the verse or verses into conceptual components and analyzes them from linguistic, literary, theological, jurisprudential, and philosophical perspectives with a problem-oriented approach, finally presenting its own viewpoint. This exegesis, while addressing theological-philosophical topics such as the vision of God, divine justice, and free will and predestination, also discusses the Shi'a belief in the infallible imamate.
Quoting the Verse of Tabligh for Ghadir[1]
The verse "O Messenger! Deliver what has been sent down to you from your Lord; and if you do not, you have not delivered His message. And Allah will protect you from the people. Indeed, Allah does not guide the disbelieving people." (al-Ma'ida/67) is among the famous verses related to the Event of Ghadir Khumm, which, according to numerous narrations, was revealed concerning Imam 'Ali (a) and the issue of his *wilaya* and succession. This view is not only agreed upon among Shi'a scholars, but many Sunni exegetes and hadith scholars also believe that the mentioned verse was revealed in connection with this event. Despite this fame, some Sunni scholars have tried to divert the occasion of revelation of the verse to other topics, such as the cunning of the Jews or inviting Jews to Islam, by offering other interpretations. Nevertheless, there are numerous narrations from reliable Sunni sources that confirm the revelation of this verse in Ghadir Khumm and in connection with the introduction of Imam 'Ali (a) as the *wali* and successor of the Prophet (s). Among the prominent Sunni figures is Fakhr al-Din al-Razi[2], who, despite his specific theological inclinations, pointed out in his exegesis that the Verse of Tabligh was revealed in praise of Imam 'Ali (a). This acknowledgment indicates the strength and credibility of the narrations regarding the occasion of revelation of the verse in the Event of Ghadir Khumm.
Sources
- Ghadir dar Ayineh-ye Ketab*, Muhammad Ansari