An Investigation and Analysis of Ta''''vil from the Perspectives of Ibn-Teymiyyeh and Allameh Tabataba''''i

Ta''vil (allegorical interpretation) is one of the subjects discussed by Muslim scholars. One may study the ideas on ta''vil and think the views of Ibn Teymiyyeh and Allameh Tabataba''i are identical but an exact study of the two shows there are differences. According to Ibn Teymiyyeh''s view the ta''vil of Qur''an''s declarative [verses] is different from commanding [verses]; the ta''vil of declarative verses is their external reality and the ta''vil of the commands is the fulfillment of what is commanded.
But according to Allameh Tabataba''i, first, all of the Holy Qur''an has ta''vil and is not special to the motashabeh (ambiguous and metaphorical) verses and second, ta''vil is a kind of reality not a meaning or concept. There are fundamental differences between Ibn Teymiyyeh and Allameh Tabataba''i''s views; Ibn Teymiyyeh believes ta''vil is the external referent of verses but Allameh Tabataba''i has a more exact idea. [He believes] ta''vil is the nafs-ol-amr reality which is beyond the world of matter and the external actuality. Another difference is that Ibn Teymiyyeh absolutely denies the knowledge of ta''vil from all human beings but Allameh Tabataba''i says according to Qur''an''s verses, some special servants of God are aware of ta''vil and he does not accept this absolute denial.