Realization of Meaning and Applicability in the Interpretation and Application of the Qur an in the Eyes of Allamah Tabatabaei

‘‘Interpreting the Qur’an by the Qur’an’’ is the method which Allamah Tabatabaei uses to interpret the holy Qur’an. According to this method, in order to understand Quranic words, attention is given only to common usage and common understanding, as a primary affair for formulating the idea of conversing and as the main criterion for understanding other verses, in such a way that the Quran is viewed as one single system and all the verses are considered in relation with each other. In this way, the meaning or application of a word is defined. Of course, in common usage, the meaning or application of a word may be different; therefore, the idea of application will be propounded. Therefore, the concepts of Quranic verses correspond with a special kind of application and in this respect, the narrations of the Infallible Imams (pbuh) have a specific role. Therefore, we can say that Allamah’s method consists of two parts: interpretation and application, and expounding this question can help in developing an outstanding method of interpretation of the Quran. Investigating the preminaries of the method of interpreting the Qur’an by the Qur’an, the present paper explains this idea which we find in Allamah’s interpretive method.