A Reanalysis of the Concept and Domain of Abrogation in Tebyan and Mafatih Al-Qayb Commentaries

Proponents of the occurrence of abrogation in the holy Quran believe that the abrogator and abrogated are among Divine commands which are carried out by God due to His knowledge of His servant's best interest. On the contrary, opponents of abrogation hold that God's Book is an all-comprehensive and everlasting command with no contradiction and falsehood. In fact, they believe that abrogation is a kind of deficit in God's knowledge and a defect. Although Fakhr Razi and Sheikh Tusi have two distinct theological views, they have certain views about abrogation, given their rationalistic approach to exegesis. Their views about abrogation are worth of studying, given Abu Muslim Isfahani's view on commentary issues, who is the most prominent Muslim Scholar denying abrogation. In the introduction of his Tebyan commentary, Sheikh Tusi elaborates on abrogation and its three types, and regards them true, while Fakhr Razi mentions different views about the occurrence of abrogation in some Quranic verses, pays particular attention to Mutazilite Abu Muslim Isfahani's views, and regards most of them as correct, which is unexpected as he is an Asharite. It seems that Fakhr Razi has tendency towards his views in terms of abrogation. Sheikh Tusi also has a view about some instances of abrogation, which is different from those of other Shia scholars.