The Term "Principles of Tafsir": A Critical Study

Abstract

Abstract

This study addresses a topic titled "The Term 'Principles of Tafsir': A Critical Study," examining the debate among contemporary scholars regarding this concept. The aim is to present the most accurate understanding of this compound term. The study employs an inductive, analytical, and deductive methodology, beginning with an examination of the meanings of the terms "principles" and "interpretation" both linguistically and technically. It then surveys the most prominent writings on the principles of various sciences across different disciplines, culminating in an analysis of contemporary definitions and establishing the most precise concept. The findings reveal that the term "principles of science" is used for the general governing rules of a discipline, whereas contemporary scholars tend to use "principles of interpretation" in the context of the foundations of interpretation rather than interpretation itself. The study concludes that the concept of the principles of interpretation refers to the general meanings of Quranic verses that apply to many specific cases.

Keywords:

The Holy Quran, Principles of Interpretation, Definition of Principles, Foundations of Interpretation, General Governing Rules, General Quranic Principles.