An Account of “Taʾwīl” from the perspective of Ayatollah Javadi Amoli

"Taʾwīl" (esoteric interpretation) stands as one of the most intricate Quranic topics. Among contemporary scholars, Ayatollah Javadi Amoli offers a comprehensive exploration of this issue. He argues that in the Quran, the majority of instances where "taʾwīl" is mentioned extend beyond mere linguistic interpretation, conceptual delineation, or explanation. Rather, they delve into the realm of objective external realities, encompassing both worldly matters and the hereafter. Just as exteriors can be measured with exteriors and interiors with interiors, Quranic “taʾwīl” or interpretation can be gauged against the "mother of the book," which serves as the foundational framework for Quranic verses. This innovative perspective suggests that the entirety of the Quran, including its definitive (muḥkam) and ambiguous or metaphorical (mutashābihāt) verses, possesses interpretative depth. These interpretations should be assessed in light of the "mother of the book," with the context of the Day of Resurrection serving as the fulcrum for Quranic interpretation to unfold. Practically, according to this perspective, understanding Quranic interpretation in terms of their references is first the prerogative of God, then those attaining the status of divine providence, and finally, the selected household of the Prophet.