|
Revisiting and Critiquing Rashid Rida's Viewpoint in the Interpretation of Verse 260 of Surah Al-Baqarah
|
Davod Esmaeili dehaghani1   , Samira Abaspour *2 |
1- Associate Professor, Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.
2- Ph.D. Candidate, Quran and Hadith Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran (Corresponding Author). , samiraabaspour66@gmail.com |
|
|
Abstract: (449 Views) |
According to the majority of commentators, verse 260 of Surah Al-Baqarah, “Take four birds, tie them to yourself, then put a part of them on every mountain,” narrates the visual observation of the resurrection. However, Abu Muslim al-Isfahani rejected the verse’s indication of the visual observation of the resurrection, interpreting its content merely as an allegory and simile to clarify the concept of the afterlife. According to the widely accepted view, Abraham (PBUH) was commanded to take four birds and familiarize them with himself so that if he placed each on a mountain peak, they would move toward him upon being called. Among contemporary commentators, Rashid Rida, contrary to the view of other exegetes, accepted Abu Muslim’s exegetical perspective and attempted to reinforce it by adding various contextual cues, such as: the implication of the imperative verb on a declarative concept; the lexical meaning of “Surhunna” (tie them); the concept of the prepositional phrase “Ilayka” (to you) after the verb “Surhunna”; and the referent of the pronouns present in the verse. Given Rashid Rida’s specific exegetical foundations and the significance of the resurrection in Quranic teachings, it is essential to critically examine his view and its consequent implications; this is particularly crucial because Rashid Rida, in analyzing this verse, sought to oppose the understanding of the general body of Quranic exegetes by strengthening Abu Muslim’s view. Hence, this research, employing a descriptive-analytical approach, evaluates Rashid Rida’s analyses and ultimately, by relying on internal and external textual evidence, demonstrates that the view proposed by Rashid Rida in the exegesis of this verse is subject to serious criticisms. |
Article number: 5 |
| Keywords: Verse 260 of Surah Al-Baqarah, Visual Observation, Rashid Rida, Miracle. |
|
|
Full-Text [PDF 563 kb]
(115 Downloads)
|
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/05/28 | Accepted: 2026/01/20 | Published: 2026/05/26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Send email to the article author |
|
|
|
| Add your comments about this article |
|
|
|
