Interpretive Digression and its Impact on the Diversity of Meaning Among Interpreters

Abstract

Digression among exegetes is the clarification of Quranic verses by citing the interpretations of exegetes regarding the discussed text. It involves examining interconnected verses, balancing their opinions, and reviewing their arguments to critique and refute the less favored interpretation, providing reasoning and evidence for its refutation. Subsequently, the preferred interpretation is substantiated with evidence. This process is necessary because exegetes' interpretations may vary in their analysis of the Quranic text, and the Quranic verses can bear multiple meanings. Therefore, an exegete writing on a particular subject must carefully and meticulously scrutinize these interpretations, using keen judgment to weigh them and discern the accurate from the inaccurate, the preferred from the less favored, in cases of divergence. The exegete must select the interpretation that best suits their topic to clarify its elements and connect the Quranic styles in conveying the meaning.
The research required it to be divided into two sections and a conclusion.
The first section: It dealt with the criteria for acceptance and refutation and the rules of preponderance of interpretation according to the interpreters, in two topics: the first: the criteria for acceptance and refutation of statements according to the interpreters, and the second: the evidence for preponderance according to the interpreters.
As for the second section: I dealt with the digressions of the interpreters and their different sayings regarding the diversity of meaning, in two topics. The first: the digressions of the interpreters that have an impact in explaining the different meanings of Qur’anic verses, and the second: it addressed the emergence of digressions in interpretation and examples of the digressions of the interpreters. Then the conclusion, which included the most important results of the research.