Evaluation of Common Themes of "Ahl al-Dhikr" and the Context of Verses (Nahl: 43, Anbiya’: 7) in the Eyes of the Exegetes of the Quran

The Holy Quran has accepted, at least in the field of religious teachings, the authority of "Ahl al-Dhikr" as cited in its two verses: Nahl: 43 and Anbiya’: 7. There are two major theories in the terminology of "Ahl alUlum – Dhikr" among the scholars of the Quran. Some, citing the context of the verses, people of the Book and people of Knowledge and emphasized the theory of pagans as their examples. Some others relying on many Shi`a traditions and a few Sunni traditions in this regard have considered them as "Ahl al-Bayt (the Prophet’s Household, may peace and blessings be upon them)". They have restricted it to this sense following the theme of these traditions. Meanwhile, some commentators have tried to bring together these two theories and present them in one. This research study aims at finding and evaluating the common themes of these two theories and presenting them in two levels of tanzil and ta’wil.