The Nature of Topical Interpretation based on the Ideas of Martyr Sadr

In comparison to ordinal interpretation, topical interpretation is a rather new and emerging phenomenon aimed at discovering the viewpoints of Holy Quran on a given subject or problem. The paper attempts to define the nature of this method of interpretation and points out its concept, fundamentals, and differences with and dependencies on ordinal interpretation. The paper thus proceeds to define the terms “interpretation” and “topical” first, and then explains the various definitions of topical interpretation. Afterwards, the paper focuses on the special definition of Martyr Sadr on topical interpretation and points out its fundamentals and differences with ordinal interpretation based on his ideas. Eventually, the author comes to the conclusion that though topical interpretation is different from ordinal interpretation in terms of goals, the role of the interpreter, approach and beginning, it is never independent of ordinal interpretation when it comes to finding clues and discovering the real purpose behind a set of verses.