Readings and their Impact on Understanding the Meaning According to Al-Baghawi (516 AH) through "Surat Saba" and some Retractions to it

Abstract

This research investigates the significance of Quranic readings and their impact on understanding the meaning of the text, as interpreted by Imam Al-Baghawi – may Allah have mercy upon him – through "Surah Saba." I will address this issue from different aspects: presenting a brief biography of Imam Al-Baghawi, the approach that he followed in Quranic readings, defining reading linguistically and terminologically, and showing the impact of these readings on Imam Al-Baghawi's understanding of the meaning through "Surah Saba." The research concludes by stating the Quranic readings that were not addressed by Imam in his exegesis of the Surah.

The research focuses on examining the diverse readings cited by Imam Al-Baghawi in his interpretation of Surah Saba in a practical study and elucidating the influence of these readings on the overall meaning.

The primary objective is to illuminate the profound efforts of Imam Al-Baghawi in the science of Quranic readings, elucidating his methodology in extracting and comprehensively analyzing these readings, by demonstrating how these Quranic readings contribute to a deeper understanding of the meaning and provide guidance through his interpretation of Surah Saba – the subject of the study, then mentioning the Quranic readings that were not addressed by Imam in his exegesis of the Surah.

The methodology involves the inductive approach in meticulously tracing the Quranic readings mentioned by Imam Al-Baghawi in his interpretation of the Surah. This is followed by a descriptive approach to comprehensively analyze the Quranic readings within the Surah, emphasizing the guidance provided by these readings and their impact on comprehending the meaning.

The research findings reveal several significant insights, among which: that Imam Al-Baghawi exhibited a profound commitment to guidance of the Quranic readings and utilizing them as evidence. This study has identified eighteen instances within the Surah where these readings are mentioned, attesting to the vast knowledge of Imam. He frequently presented multiple interpretations regarding the guidance of these readings and then carefully weighed these interpretations against each other. He demonstrated particular attention to guiding the readings of (letter arrangements), meticulously addressing them with remarkable thoroughness, leaving virtually no aspect unexplored, unlike the fundamental readings. Notably, he overlooked or intentionally omitted mentioning numerous instances where both transmitted and deviant readings were present in the Surah. He left fifteen instances within the Surah without mentioning these readings, despite their inclusion by other exegetes.