Feasibility Study of Hearing of the Dead in Verses 80 and 81 of Surah An-Naml (Based on ‘Allāmah Ṭabāṭabā’ī's Theory of Spirit of Meanings)

The issue of hearing of the dead is one of the important topics that has received considerable attention from both Shiite and Sunni theologians, with various interpretations being presented in support or opposition to it. One of the arguments used by opponents is the adherence to verses 80 and 81 of Surah An-Naml, which apparently indicate the impossibility of hearing of the dead. According to the exegetes, the dead referred to in these verses are metaphor for disbelievers. Considering the truth reflecting nature of the Quranic verses, there is a real and true relationship between the metaphors used in the verses and their true meanings. Therefore, applying the term "dead" to disbelievers signifies a shared reality between the two, leading to the validity of using the term "dead" in a different meaning (i.e., disbeliever). This paper aims to provide a new interpretation of the non-hearing mentioned in the verses by analyzing the relationship between the real and figurative meanings of death and utilizing ‘Allāmah Ṭabāṭabā’ī's theory of ‘coining words for the spirit of meanings’. Through the analysis of this relationship, it becomes clear that death means the absence of effects and qualities in a thing, which is evaluated in relation to any given subject. In the case of the discussed verses, a human being who is not responsive to truth and guidance (i.e., a disbeliever), is dead in reality.