Review and Criticism of Scientific Commentary in al-Tanṭāwī al-Jowharī's Kitāb al-Jawāhir

Tafsir al-Jawahir fī Tafsīr al-Qurʾān al-Karīm written by al-Ṭanṭawī al-Jawharī (1287-1358 AH/ 1870-1940 AD) is the only complete commentary of the Qurʾān with the method of scientific interpretation and has a special place in this literary genre. There are different opinions about this interpretation and its interpretation method. Due to the non-comprehensive view of al-Jawāhir and the abundance of natural science content in it, many have not made a precise judgment about this interpretation and its method. With the complete study of Ṭanṭāwī's commentary, the conclusion is reached that Ṭanṭāwī chose the method of employing and applying natural sciences for the interpretation of the Qurʾān, and in fact, he interpreted the Qurʾān by looking at science. From his point of view, the more the audience of the word of God knows about the universal verses of God that are around him, the better he will understand the Qurʾān. Political and social concerns have been one of the most important motivations for Ṭanṭawī to write this commentary. Despite all this, his interpretative thoughts are not free of damage and there are criticisms regarding the basic, methodical and ultimate damage to it.