A Review of Applying Commentary Rules in Majmal Bayan Commentary

Understanding a text in general and the Quran in particular depends on certain rules which should be taken into consideration in understanding and interpreting the text. The extent of following these rules by the interpreter، his skill in applying them in interpreting the text، that is، explaining the meaning intended by God and following the rules of Arabic and the formal rules of dialogue، are of great help in this regard. Majma''l Bayan، by the late Tabarsi has always been regarded as one of the main all-comprehensive Shiite commentaries. Using a descriptive-analytical method، the present paper seeks to show to what extent has the late Tabarsi followed the rules of commentary. The research findings show that he has carefully abided by these rules. He has been very successful in using some rules including relying on correct recitation، separation between commentary and (spiritual) hermeneutics، Arabic literature and making use of context clues. However، his work is not quite accurate in some other aspects، such as delicacies of meanings-rhetoric، judgment about traditions and use of science and methodology.