Realism of the Quran and its Influence on Exegesis from the Viewpoint of Allama Tabatabai (with especial focus on rhetorical aspects)

The holy Quran in its rhetorical expressions such as similes, figurative expressions and metaphors intends conveying the reality. To prove this claim, the present article takes Allama Tabatabai’s view into account and responds to the spurious arguments in this regard. Among all types of simile, imaginative simile is not used in the Quran and its alleged examples such as likening spathes of Zaqqum tree to devils’ heads and likening the insane to those captured by Jinn are not true instances of this type of simile. Quranic metaphor and figurative expressions have their evidence in the external and real world and the same fact is the criterion for validity or invalidity of using figurative expressions or metaphors. Among different types of hyperbole, its two types of conveyance and exaggeration which are rationally possible are found in the Quran. However, overstatement (ghuluww) being rationally impossible is not found in the Quran and the alleged examples can be rejected. Another manifestation of rhetoric in the Quran is Quranic narratives which certain authors have considered unreal because of their allegorical form. However, their statement is not acceptable.