Mawāṭin al-Khilāf al-Tafsīrī fī Sūrat al-Anbiyāʾ: Dirāsah Taṭbīqiyyah Muqāranah fī al-Āyah 95

Abstract

This study presents an applied model for comparative Qur’anic exegesis, It examines the sites of exegetical disagreement in Sūrat al-Anbiyāʾ, selecting in particular the verse: “And it is forbidden for a town which We have destroyed that they will not return” (al-Anbiyāʾ 21:95), through a comparative applied study that aims thereby to identify the thematic unity of Surah Al-Anbiya, determine points of dispute within the verse, identify resulting exegetical opinions, present and discuss their evidence, and reach a preferred interpretation. The researchers employed inductive, deductive, critical, and comparative methods.The study concludes that the central theme of the surah is warning, and that the points of dispute in the verse are four: ḥarām, ahlaknāhā, lā, and yarjiʿūn. From exegetical interpretations of these points, five opinions emerged: (1) it is impossible for a destroyed town to return to worldly life; (2) it is impossible for a town decreed for destruction to return to faith after disbelief; (3) it is obligatory that a destroyed town not return to worldly life; (4) it is obligatory that a town decreed for destruction not return to faith after disbelief; (5) it is impossible that a destroyed town not return to God through resurrection on the Day of Judgment. The researchers ultimately excluded three opinions and reconciled between two based on established principles.