Qur\'anic Insights on the Readings Related to the Mothers of the Believers: A Case Study of Surah Al-Ahzab

Abstract

Dr. Omaimah Abdulrahman Halabi*

This research aims to study the impact of varying interpretations of verses concerning the wives of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and their rulings in light of differences in Qur'anic recitations (qira'at). It explores how these variations affect the interpretation of meanings in verses related to glad tidings and warnings, and examines the reasons for attributing specific or general meanings to these verses. The researcher employs a descriptive, inductive, and analytical methodology to achieve these objectives. The study reveals that among the primary reasons for differences among exegetes regarding the meanings and rulings of these verses are variations in linguistic and jurisprudential perspectives. However, the interpretation of different recitations within a single verse necessarily carries the meaning of other recitations, either explicitly or implicitly. Additionally, the occurrence of certain Qur'anic expressions in both general and specific contexts has led to a diversification of discourse and obligations between the particular and the general. Some recitations address the collective using masculine verbal forms (referring to the group of Mothers of the Believers), while others employ specification and feminine forms, addressing them individually. The researcher recommends completing the study of Qur'anic recitations concerning the Mothers of the Believers throughout the entire Qur'an, with phonetic, linguistic, and rhetorical analyses, as well as studying the particular and general in light of variations in Qur'anic recitations throughout the Qur'an.