Analysis and Criticism of the Views of Sunni Commentators in Different Centuries Regarding the Explanation of the Concept of Mawddat of Dhi al-Qurbá

The present article is a study on the historical evolution of the view of Sunni commentators in explaining the concept of mawddat of Dhi al-Qurbá. The word mawaddat from the word wodd means to love something or someone and wish for its stability, and in the term means intense mutual love between people, which can be praised or condemned according to its subject and is so attractive that the lover makes it easy to imitate and follow the beloved. According to Imami scholars, mawddat of Dhi al-Qurbá is a concept that, if used in connection with the Holy Prophet (pbuh), only means mawaddat and love along with following and guarding the Twelver Imams (as) and Lady Zahrāʾ (as). However, most public scholars do not accept this view and have offered other views on the concept. A careful study of the historical evolution of the views of Sunni commentators shows that in different centuries, various opinions have been expressed in explaining the concept in question to the extent that some have expressed the mawaddah and love of the Anṣār to the Prophet (pbuh) and the Quraysh and many have expressed the mawaddah of the Quraysh. They have chosen an independent vote for the Prophet (pbuh) and not being hostile to him. All this is while some have mentioned the duration towards the companions of Kisāʾ (as), the abrogation of the verse of the duration, the duration towards the Ahl al-Bayt (as), the peace of mercy and the duration and closeness to Allah the Almighty in explaining the concept of the nearness of Dhi al-Qurbá. Accordingly, the basic discourse of this article, while referring to the semantics of related words, based on library data, expresses the views of Sunni commentators in explaining the concept and examines and critiques these views.