The Status and Function of Hadith in the Exegesis of Sayyid Haydar Āmoli

Haydar Ibn Ali Ibn Haydar، known as Sayyid Haydar Āmoli، is the philosopherand mystic of the eighth century AH and is the author of Tafsir al-Mohit al-Azam. He wrote this exegesis toward the end of his life in which he referred to many traditions narrated by the Immaculate. Hadiths have been reported in Al-Mohit al-Azamin different forms and ways. Most of these hadiths have been reported by paraphrasing and transmitting the meaning and sometimes they have been reported in the form of verse. Often these hadiths have been quoted in the confirmation of the views of the author and sometimes in interpreting the verses of the holy Quran. Moreover، they are often quoted without giving evidence. Amolithe mystic has also explained and elaborated on the narrations. His approach to explaining hadiths has a mystical tinge. Āmoli in explaining narrations follows different methods، including explaining the meaning of the words، paying attention to diction and syntax and referring to verses and narrations. In reporting the narrations he employs both Shii and Sunni hadith sources. Besides a glimpse at the life of Āmoli and introducing his exegesis Al-Mohit al-Azam، this article discusses in detail and analyses the traditions referred to in Al-Mohit al-Azam.