Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Mohsen Qasempour ¹
• Parvin Shenasvand ²
• Amir Tohidi ³

¹ Professor, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

² Faculty Member, Department of Islamic Studies, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran

³ Associate Professor, Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Extended Abstract

Introduction

Many religious scholars have emphasized the benefit and necessity of religion that is supported by rational foundations. Alongside the benefits that religion brings to humanity, attention must also be paid to its individual and social aspects. There are numerous teachings in the Quran that address the social aspects of religion, and Quranic commentators have also paid attention to this important matter. The explanation of these benefits is sometimes done by commentators in their interpretations using persuasive methods, and a prominent manifestation of the social approach and the presentation of a universally understandable model for their audience has emerged. Among these commentators in the contemporary period is the late Muhammad Jawad Mughniyeh, who paid special attention to social interpretation as a contemporary approach. One of the prominent manifestations of this approach is the application of the element of persuasion in interpretation. According to this commentator, since the goal of religion is to provide a correct way of life to achieve eternal happiness, the realization of such happiness depends on observing the individual and social duties of a human being. According to this commentator, since humans are by nature social, the necessity of human social life requires that Quranic teachings be focused on the benevolence of humankind, regardless of any religion or creed, not just the religious or only Muslims. This important matter depends on paying attention to the element of persuasion in the position of interpreting Quranic verses and highlighting this Quranic method.
Statement of the Problem:
Some commentators, considering the new relationships in the lives of Muslims in today's world, provide a new and up-to-date explanation of the revelations while maintaining the framework of the principles of interpretation, which can be referred to as a social approach in interpretation. Such an approach, given the importance of the element of persuasion as a communication method in today's world and its goal, which is to influence the audience, has gained a special place among some commentators. Persuasion in communication science has its own characteristics, the examination of which is beyond the scope and space of this article. The important question in this article is: what is the element of persuasion in Quranic teachings from the perspective of a commentator who has taken a social approach to Quranic interpretation? And what examples of Quranic verses exist for the application of this explanatory method from Mughniyeh's point of view?
Literature Review:
Research has been conducted on the general topic of persuasion in interpretive discussions. Among these studies, articles such as: "A Look at the Persuasive Messages of the Holy Quran," "Examining the Methods of Persuasion and Convincing in the Holy Quran Regarding the Subject of Resurrection," "Persuasion and Persuasive Deception in the Holy Quran," "Audience Persuasion in Nahj al-Balagha," and "Content and Structural Features of the Quran and its Impact on Audience Persuasion" can be mentioned. None of the mentioned topics have analyzed persuasion as an interpretive method. This research examines the viewpoint and approach of a commentator among those who have focused on the social issues of the Quran in the contemporary era, and therefore, it is innovative and lacks a research background in this specific area.
Research Methodology:
In this research, using a descriptive method and then content analysis (descriptive-analytical), verses from the Quran in Tafsir al-Kashif have been selected, through which the persuasive method in dealing with the audience from the perspective of this commentator can be obtained. In this method, examples of verses are seen that are sometimes accompanied by questions and answers designed by the commentator in a simple language, in a way that the commentator's companionship with the audience in asking questions and persuading them can be obtained.
Conclusion:
Mughniyeh is among the commentators who have paid special attention to the social interpretation of the Quran. His interpretive method is comprehensive, but his interpretive approach, considering the socio-cultural developments of the Islamic society and the needs of the audience, is distinct from most of the earlier interpretations, to the extent that he explicitly emphasized this point in the introduction of his interpretation.
Persuading the Muslim audience in the position of interpretation by a commentator like Mughniyeh has its own special characteristics, and the application of this method can be seen throughout Al-Kashif. The language of interpretation, the style of expression, analysis and explanation, the use of allegory, the avoidance of technical and scientific language, attention to the main messages of the verses, and the posing of questions within the interpretation of the verses all serve this persuasive approach. Convincing the audience that religion guarantees human happiness and is in the direction of their well-being is one of the examples of the persuasive approach in the interpretation of verses. The late Mughniyeh believes that in this day and age, and considering the contemporary conditions and socio-cultural developments, the language used by the commentator in explaining the revelations must be a different language; in other words, bringing forth the lofty and human-building teachings of the Quran with the mechanisms used by previous commentators is no longer effective today. He considers interpretation as a craft and art. According to Mughniyeh, the connection between art and environmental conditions and the influence of the environment on art is undeniable. Mughniyeh's statement can be explained as follows: just as a capable artist, by understanding the beauties of an individual and society, whether in the realm of beliefs and faith or in the realm of behaviors, portrays them creatively, accurately, and beautifully, a commentator must also explain the lofty teachings of the Quran beautifully and artistically, so that they will be acceptable to the new generation. In a time that is the age of communication, and this generation, with the onslaught of the media, observes that religion and its values are even subjected to ridicule and insult, the language of interpretation must be a different language. Persuading the audience, in Mughniyeh's view, has requirements, including making the audience and those interested in interpretation believe in religious values. Persuasion that religion and life go hand in hand. Attention to the well-known and highlighting the ways of the wise, especially when dealing with various aspects of individual and social life when interpreting divine verses, are other examples and components of this persuasive approach.

Keywords

• Social Interpretation
• Persuasive Approach
• Contemporary Exegesis
• Social Aspects of Religion
• Mughniyyah

Main Subjects

• قرآن پژوهی