Thematic interpretation of the Quran from the perspective of Ayatullah Muhammad Taqī Mesbāh Yazdī

Studying the different dimensions of thematic interpretation from the perspective of Ayatullah Muhammad Taqī Mesbāh Yazdī, the present article seeks to explain the main features of his thematic interpretation entitled “Maarif i Quran” i.e. “the teachings of the Quran”. Thematic interpretation aims at explaining the meaning of the words and phrases of Quranic verses and revealing the divine intents in a special subject benefiting from the whole verses relevant to it based on the rational discussion and Arabic literature. Thematic interpretation in the works of researchers of the Quran refers to: 1. verbal interpretation 2. Descriptive and original interpretation and 3. Analytical and explanatory interpretation. Ayatullāh Mesbāh sees it preferable to refer the thematic interpretation to the last two usages. The stages of thematic interpretation according to Ayatullāh Mesbāh are the following: choosing the topic or problem, conceptual definition of the topic, finding relevant verses and putting them together, determining the signification of the verses, specifying the relation of the verses to the topic, reaching the logical classification of the details of subjects and finally interpreting the verses collected. The most serious flaws in thematic interpretation according to Ayatullāh Mesbāh are: neglecting the context, one-dimensional attitude, imposition of one's own opinion and undue comparisons. In addition to conducting theoretical discussions, he has made his best to immunize Tafsir from its different flaws in practice. Some of the most significant qualities of the thematic interpretation of Ayatullāh Mesbāh are as follows: being comprehensive as to the whole teachings of the Quran, setting the Quranic teachings into didactic systems, adopting a systematically linked attitude toward verses, being up to date and prospective, and enjoying a methodological cohesion.