قرآنی مفاہیم میں تاویل: علمائے لغت، متقدمین و متاخرین کے افکار اور تفسیری تطبیقات کا تحقیقی و تجزیاتی مطالعہ

Ta'wil in Qur'anic Concepts: A Research-Based Analytical Study of Lexicographers', Early and Later Scholars' Perspectives and Its Interpretative Applications

Abstract

This research paper explores the concept of Ta'wil in the Qur'an by analyzing its linguistic and terminological meanings, and its practical applications across classical and modern exegeses. The study aims to bridge the interpretative gap between early and later scholars regarding Ta'wil and understand how its meanings evolved over time. The paper is divided into three main sections: the linguistic origin of Ta'wil (rooted in the idea of returning or referring back), the terminological development (especially among jurists, theologians, and exegetes), and its diverse contextual uses within the Holy Qur'an. Classical exegetes like al-Tabarī, al-Baydāwī, al-Nasafi, and al-Māturīdī have extensively used the term Ta'wil in their works, indicating its deep-rooted presence in interpretative traditions. Over time, particularly post-4th and 5th Hijri centuries, Ta'wil acquired more specialized meanings in disciplines like Usül al-Fiqh, Kalām, and Hadith sciences. The paper also addresses how Ta'wil is distinct from Tafsir in its reliance on reasoning (dirāyah) rather than transmission (riwāyah), often involving preference of less apparent meanings when justified by strong evidence. By examining Qur'anic verses and classical interpretations, this study shows that Ta'wil is not merely a synonym for Tafsir, but a complementary tool in understanding deeper dimensions of divine discourse. The research contributes significantly to the field of Qur'anic studies by clarifying how Ta'wil functions as both an exegetical method and an intellectual approach grounded in Islamic scholarly tradition.