تعارف مفسر النکت والعیون اور تفسیری منہج کا اسلوب

"INTRODUCTION TO THE AUTHOR OF AL-NUKAT WA AL-'UYŪN AND HIS METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH TO QUR'ANIC EXEGESIS"

Abstract

The fourth and fifth centuries of the Hijri era occupy a distinguished position in the history of Qur'anic exegesis (Tafsīr) and the sciences of the Qur'an (ʿUlūm al-Qurʾān). During this period, various branches of Islamic scholarship reached intellectual maturity, resulting in the compilation of numerous comprehensive and authoritative works of exegesis. Among the most eminent scholars of this era was Imam Abū al-Ḥasan ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad ibn Ḥabīb al-Māwardī al-Baṣrī al-Shāfiʿī (may Allah have mercy on him), who excelled in jurisprudence, ḥadīth, Qur'anic exegesis, Arabic literature, political thought, and philosophy. Owing to his exceptional scholarship and integrity, he also served as the Chief Judge (Qāḍī al-Quḍāt) of his time.Among Imam al-Māwardī's enduring scholarly contributions, his Qur'anic commentary Al-Nukat wa al-ʿUyūn occupies a distinguished place. This work is primarily based on the methodology of Tafsīr bi al-Maʾthūr (traditional exegesis), in which the author systematically compiles and presents the interpretations transmitted from the early generations of Muslim scholars (Salaf) as well as later authorities (Khalaf). The commentary pays particular attention to the occasions of revelation (Asbāb al-Nuzūl), lexical analysis of Qur'anic vocabulary, variant Qur'anic readings (Qirāʾāt), juristic rulings derived from the Qur'an, and the explanation of ambiguous verses (Mutashābihāt). Rather than confining his discussion to a single juristic or theological school, Imam al-Māwardī impartially records the opinions of the Companions, the Successors, the Followers of the Successors, and subsequent exegetes, making his commentary an important and widely respected reference in the field of Qur'anic studies.

This article presents a concise account of Imam al-Māwardī's life, his teachers, students, scholarly contributions, and literary works. It further introduces his celebrated commentary Al-Nukat wa al-ʿUyūn, examines the origin of its title, reviews the major academic studies conducted on the work, and provides a detailed analysis of his exegetical methodology and style. Particular emphasis is placed on his principal sources of interpretation, including ḥadīth and transmitted reports (Āthār), Qur'anic readings (Qirāʾāt), Arabic language, grammar and poetry, history and biography, and Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh). The study aims to highlight the scholarly significance and lasting contribution of this remarkable exegetical work within the Islamic intellectual tradition.