Rational Interpretation Methodology in Imam al-Riḍā's (A.S.) Exegetical Attitude

The present study raises the question as to what methods Imam al-Riḍā (A.S.) employed in interpreting the verses of the Qur’ān with regard to the circumstances governing his era.It is concluded, by examining Imam al-Riḍā’s (A.S.) exegetical traditions, that his holiness has enjoyed different exegetical methods in explaining the concepts of the Qur’ānic verses, such as interpretation of the Qur’ān through Qur’ān, interpretation of the Qur’ān through tradition, rational and lexical interpretation of the Qur’ān. From among the above methods, the rational interpretation has a special place in the exegetical one of his holiness. While using the Qur’ān as an expressive document, he paid special attention to rational discussion in his ideological and theological debates with scholars of various theological schools of his time. Similarly, in his confrontation with various theological and heretical sects, he would initiate discussions with reliance on the Qur’ānic arguments and its rational analysis and convince the addressees, to such an extent that it can be claimed that due to the special conditions prevailing his era, he would abundantly employ rational arguments.