The role of rhetoric science in the interpretation of the Quran (A case study of irony and allusion in interpretations of Tebyan of Sheikh Toosi and Kashshaf of Zamakhshari)

Speaking ironically is one of the most important artistic effects of a language and it is the sign of the speaker's power of speech. The Holy Qur'an due to the common sense of the discourse of its audience, has used irony. Given the importance of the Qur'anic ironies and the role of commentators' rhetorical opinions in understanding this book, it is necessary to research in this regard. The present study, attempts to compare the two important and authoritative interpretations, al-Tibyan and al-kashshaaf, and to reveal the opinions of Tusi and Zamakhshari on the irony and allusion and the effect of irony and allusion in interpreting Qur'an. The results of this research which is done with descriptive and interpretive method, demonstrate that Tusi and Zamakhshari have both paid attention to these items: the difference between irony and allusion, the issue of considering the literal meaning, the issue of necessity in irony and the role of context in discovering the allusive meaning; and Zamakhshari have been under the influence of Tusi in some cases however Zamakhshari's discussions are more complete about the method of interpreting the verses of divine characteristics in which the literal meaning has no place and in explaining the reasons of using irony and allusion.