A Comparative Study of the Criteria of Allegorical Interpretation in the Mystical Exegesis of Surah Ghadr

Belief in the exoteric and esoteric meanings of the Quran, or in other words, the exegesis and allegorical interpretation of the Quran is one of the controversial topics that the researchers of the Quranic and Islamic sciences have paid special attention to. They have established criteria and standards for mystical interpretation, understanding the truth, and the interior of the Quran. The present research examines three important criteria for the esoteric interpretation of Surah Ghadr as follows: the relationship between the external and internal interpretation of the Quran, the absence of exegetical meanings against religious rules, and the absence of exegetical meanings against enlightened intellect in the esoteric interpretation. The results of this study show that the esoteric meaning of Surah Ghadr corresponds to the principles and rules of mystical interpretation, that is, the exoteric meaning of this Surah is hidden in its esoteric interpretation and does not contradict the rules of Islam and enlightened intellect.