The Role of Context in Choosing a Reading of Quran

Context is one of the most important means for understanding the meaning of the words and phrases in a text which has been considered by the exegetes in their interpretation of the Quranic verses. Considering the literal meaning of siyagh(context) as coming after one another, conjunction and having order indicates that "siyagh kalam" is the coming of the words and sentences and verses one after the other and their conjunction and order for conveying meaning. In the commentaries, therefore, these order and conjunction for conveying meaning of the words, verses and sentences, indicating the reference of the pronouns, the time of revelation of the verses and chapters: Mecca or medina, acceptance of traditions or their refutation and etc. have been taken into consideration. Concerning the issue of readings of Quran (gheraat) which is directly related to the interpretation of Quran, context(siyagh) can be employed for accepting or prefering one of the variant readings(gharaat). In the sources discussing the arguments for readings of Quran, and occasionally in some exegesis, among different reasons mentioned for one or other readings of Quran, the role of context can be clearly and noticeably seen. Context, hence, is one of the proofs for the preference and support of one of the various reading (gharaat). Considering the importance of this subject, along with detecting the literal and technical meaning of "siyagh"(context) and different views on it, this article has discussed the status and role of context in choosing one of the readings of Quran including a verb, noun or preposition as well as providing different examples for each case.