The Significance of Context according to Imam Ibn Atiya in his Book Al-Muharrar Al-Wajeez

(An analytical study)

Abstract

This study is one of the supporting pillars for the interpretive statements, which I have titled: (The Significance of Context in the Exegesis of Imam Ibn 'Atiyyah in his Book "Al-Muḥarrar Al-Wajīz" - An Analytical Study) ,(دلالةُ السيَاقِ عند الإمام ابن عطية في كتابه "الْمُحرَّر الوجيز"- دراسة تحليلية). The study consists of an introduction, a preface, seven topics, and a conclusion. In the introduction, there is an explanation of the importance of the topic, the reasons for choosing it, the problem of the study and its objectives, the previous studies, the research methodology, and its plan.

In the preface: the concept of the significance of context, a brief biography of Imam Ibn 'Atiyyah, and the definition of the interpretation of "Al-Muḥarrar Al-Wajīz", (الْمُحرَّر الوجيز). Then, in seven topics, I presented the evidence of Imam Ibn 'Atiyyah's use of contextual significance in his exegesis "Al-Muḥarrar Al-Wajīz" to support the interpretive meaning he deemed most plausible, whether the evidence concerned the prioritization of a particular Quranic reading, as in the first topic regarding the contextual significance in the reading of (يَكْذِبُونَ) with a lightened pronunciation. Or in the seventh topic, as mentioned in the readings of the verse: (أَمَّن هُوَ قَانِتٌ).

Or if the evidence concerned the prioritization of an interpretative meaning or a statement from the exegetes, in the other topics of the study. In these instances, Ibn 'Atiyyah demonstrated the relationship between the contextual significance and the preceding and succeeding contexts, enabling us to grasp the Quranic coherence in expressing the intended meaning. Moreover, the strength of Ibn 'Atiyyah's argumentation using contextual significance is that he manifested the validity of the statements made in the exegesis, whether general or specific.

In the conclusion, I presented the findings of the study, chief among them being that the significance of context is one of the factors that assist in elucidating the plausible and beneficial interpretative meanings for the nation. And that the Glorious Quran bears multiple aspects, so what is clear is supported by established evidence, such as the evidence of contextual significance.