Isra'ili Narrations in Tafsir Ruh al-Ma'ani

تفسیرِروح المعانی میں اسرائیلی روایات

Abstract

The Holy Quran is the final divine book revealed by Allah, who has taken upon Himself the responsibility of its protection. Allah states, "Indeed, it is We who sent down the Quran and indeed, We will be its guardian." Since the Quran comprises both words and meanings, Allah has safeguarded not only its words but also its meanings and interpretations. This is essential because merely preserving the words would not suffice; if the meanings were not protected, alterations would be inevitable. Allah also declares, "Then, indeed, upon Us is its clarification," indicating that He has also taken the responsibility of explaining the Quran. The exegesis of the Quran conducted by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), known as "Tafsir bil-Ma'thur," involves narrating all exegetical material transmitted with a chain of narration from the Prophet, the Companions, and the Followers. Some scholars have included "Isra'iliyat" in "Tafsir bil-Ma'thur," extensively mentioning these narratives without commentary, such as Imam al-Baghawi and Allama Khazin. However, Allama Alusi (d. 1270 AH) in his "Tafsir Ruh al-Ma'ani" included "Isra'iliyat" but did not leave them without critique. He is among the few exegetes who critically examined "Isra'iliyat," following the efforts of Hafiz Ibn Kathir (d. 774 AH). The present article will discuss the following aspects: an introduction to Allama Alusi, the methodology of Tafsir Ruh al-Ma'ani, his stance on "Isra'iliyat," the types of "Isra'iliyat" in his exegesis, and a critical review of some "Isra'iliyat" narratives in Tafsir Ruh al-Ma'ani.