Al-Tarjīḥāt al-Tafsīriyyah li al-Imām al-Ījī fī Tafsīrih “Jāmiʿ al-Bayān fī Tafsīr al-Qurʾān” fī al-Juzʾ al-Awwal min al-Qurʾān al-Karīm

Abstract

The multiplicity of exegetical opinions since the earliest periods—arising from the diversity of exegetical methodologies and the variation in linguistic and contextual indications of the Qurʾānic text—led scholars to devote attention to establishing criteria and rules by which such opinions may be weighed and preferred. This study therefore seeks to shed light on the principles of preference (tarjīḥ) employed by al-Ījī, as one of the scholars who contributed to applying the foundations of language, jurisprudence, and theology to addressing exegetical disagreement. The study aims to clarify the concept of preference and its significance in the science of Qurʾānic exegesis, as well as its role in prioritizing meanings and rulings derived from the Qurʾānic text. It also surveys and compiles the relevant views of scholars from exegetical sources and analyzes their evidence in accordance with established scholarly principles, identifying points of strength and weakness therein. Subsequently, a comparison is conducted between the exegete’s preferred views and those of other commentators to determine the extent of agreement or divergence and the scholarly reasons underlying them. The research concludes that the examined preferences are grounded in solid linguistic and legal foundations, reflecting the exegete’s firm grounding in the sciences of Islamic law and the Arabic language, The significance of this work lies in presenting a practical model for dealing with multiple interpretive opinions and highlighting the impact of exegetical preferences in enriching Qurʾānic understanding and guiding juristic inference, where applicable.