A Comparative Study on the Commentators’ Views Specifying the Concept of Zalalat (Losing the Way) in the Verse “And He Found You Lost So He Guided You”

The Qur'an has applied noble and unique methods to display some arguments; one of the Qur’anic verses in this regard is the seventh verse of the holy Surah az-Zuha. The term “Zal” in this verse being considered as an active participle noun derived from “Zalalat” refers to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and it needs to be more accurately researched. The present study simultaneously pursues the conceptual and attributional analysis of the term "Zalalat" in this verse classifying the most significant Sunni and Shi’ite views into two categories. The first one recognizes the attribution of "Zalalat" to the Prophet Muhammad himself stating several aspects to justify the Prophet being lost (Zalalat-e Nabi). In the second category, “Zalalat”, in its various meanings and with mostly literary justifications, refers to the Prophet’s nation. Both of these viewpoints have some drawbacks not being able to answer the ambiguities and questions raised in the mind of the audience especially when confronted with the surface structure of the verse, its context, and the accurate meaning of guidance versus Zalalat. The current research has achieved a selected viewpoint which can be fostered through the Qur’an to the Qur’an exegesis, coherence with the context of the verses, and coordination with theological principles in the realm of prophetic infallibility. The findings of this article can be applied in the Qur’anic studies and exegetical-theological research.
Received: 14/5/2018   |   Accepted: 26/10/2018