مراتب المتشابه عند الشيخ الطاهر ابن عاشور

xploring the Levels of "Tashabuh" in the Work of Tahir Ibn Ashur

Abstract

The Quran remains an ever-flowing spring of inexhaustible secrets and knowledge. Likewise, the monumental works associated with it, undertaken by interpreters, have somewhat embodied this attribute. These works have become references for those who came after, up to our present day, and it seems that tomorrow will not be different. Among these works is the encyclopedic exegetical work "Al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir" by the eminent scholar Tahir Ibn Ashur, to which he dedicated the essence of his rich life, spanning over four decades. Consequently, numerous studies have delved into various aspects of this exegesis. The Sheikh's work embodies discussions that can be considered the cornerstone of his work. Among these discussions are the ten levels of "Mutashabih" that the Sheikh organized when he interpreted the seventh verse of Surah Al-Imran. However, these discussions are very concentrated and "compressed," so to speak, and require unpacking and unfolding in order to understand the Sheikh's intention clearly. This can be achieved by linking the Sheikh's discussions together. A previous study has attempted to address this issue, but it tackled them from a specific angle, and the method it deployed in this regard is also problematic. Therefore, this study, which is before you, revolves around two poles. The first pole examines the ten levels according to a standard comprehensive methodology, explaining each example provided by the scholar under a level, thereby revealing a connection between the example and the level that is often overlooked in most of the Sheikh's examples. The second pole is a critique of the previous study and highlights its shortcomings.