A Comparative Study of Goal-oriented Application of Literary Rules in Tafsir al-Mizan and Sunni Commentaries

The exegetic views of a great many exegetes of the Holy Quran have been influenced by their understanding of Arabic grammar and literature. Each exegete employs certain methods in making use of literary rules. A comparison between Allamah Tabatabai's method used in Tafsir al-Mizan and the method used in commentary works authored by Sunni scholars will reveal to us the fact that the former made use of his own special method while encountering a literary rule. He endeavors to use those rules in a way which contributes to better understanding of the Quran. On the contrary, other exegetes have an activity-oriented reaction that yields nothing but confusion and misunderstanding. The goal of this study is to make a comparative study of goal-oriented application of literary rules used by Allamah Tabatabai and some Sunni exegetes including Zamakhari, a renowned scholar and exegete of the Holy Quran. References have been given to elaborate on the exegetic perspectives of both sides.