A Comparative Study of the Views of Sunni and Shiite Exegetes regarding the Buyūt Verse Relying on a Critique of the Prominent View

Verse 36 of the chapter al-Nur which is known as the Buyūt (houses) Verse reveres houses in which there is the remembrance of and glorification of God morning and evening and thus, God has given the permission for the elevation of the worth and rank of these houses. In explaining Divine intent regarding buyūt, exegetes hold different and scattered views; however, they have mostly explained buyūt to refer to mosques. In the present study, through a descriptive-analytic method and a study of the views of Sunni and Shiite exegetes, we strive to strengthen the belief that, in contrast to the prominent view, we cannot consider mosques to be the main meaning of the verse; rather, the term buyūt ca only include mosques and other mentioned instances by nullifying qualities.The analysis and evaluation of the prominent views lead us to the fact that the proofs and evidence of this view are not sufficiently accurate; rather, the context and apparent aspect of the verse as well as narrative support validate a new theory. Accordingly, and as it appears from the context, buyūt refers not to mosques but rather to the houses of the 14 Infallibles it is understood from the harmony between the elevation of buyūt (houses) and the infallibility of their inhabitants that the infallibility of the inhabitants is relevant in the elevation of the houses.