Intra-Quranic Connections in Sunni and Shi‘i Tafsirs

Abstract

This study seeks to shed light on how a celebrated interpretive approach to the Quran considered to be most objective is taken by interpreters from different theological settings. It takes a closer look at how the principle of tafsir al-Qur’an bi al-Qur’an (interpretation of the Quran by the Quran) is employed by al-Shanqiti in his Adwa’ al-Bayan and al-Tabataba’i in his al-Mizan, taking their interpretation of ahl al-bayt as a main case in point. Noticing how their differences in this issue can be associated with their respective Sunni and Shi‘i backgrounds, this study finds a number of areas where both modern exegetes – and other exegetes most likely – might be influenced by any creeping theological preference in their pursuit of objectivity and openness to the text.