Thematic interpretation in «Bihar al-Anwar»

Considering the inclusiveness and extensiveness of the subjects of "Bihar al-Anwar", on the one hand, and the completeness of verses in each chapter on the other, the order and coherence of Allāma Majlīsī’s approach to interpretation become evident. The study of the content of chapters including both verses and interpretation represents his development and innovation in collecting verses based on thematic fields of interpretation in "Bihar al-Anwar which is followed by providing preliminaries to reach the next stage through quoting scholars and commentators and through critical study of their views.
Analysis, inference and comment are the main phase of an interpretation which has been carried out by late Majlīsī through answering the questions and resolving the contradictions based on the principles of interpretation. The result of the study ultimately proves the extent and strength of Allāma Majlīsī 's work. Allāma Majlīsī's scrutiny in preferring some commentators viewpoints based on the context of the Qur’ānic verses, reputation and traditions as well as his critical observation on some other exegetical viewpoints, due to being in contrary with certainties of faith and due to preventing pretentious interpretation, is the proof of this study. Though it cannot be claimed that he had been following the thematic interpretation according to its current method, the depth and precision of his work in "Bihār al-Anwār" is such that it can be a source of inspiration and progress for scholars and experts in the field of thematic interpretation.