Criteria for Acceptance and Rejection in Exegetical Narrations and Their Impact on the Construction of Transmitted Exegesis: An Analytical and Applied Study in Light of the Imamiyyah School

Abstract

This study examines the criteria for accepting and rejecting exegetical narrations and their impact on the construction of tafsir bi al-ma’thur in light of Imami sources. It proceeds from the premise that a narration does not acquire authority merely by appearing in hadith or exegetical compilations; rather, it must undergo both isnad and textual examination to determine its suitability for interpreting Qur’anic verses. The study aims to define exegetical narrations, trace their origins and sources, clarify the concept and scholarly status of tradition-based exegesis, and identify the principal criteria for acceptance, foremost among them conformity with the clear teachings of the Qur’an, continuity of the chain of transmission, knowledge of narrators’ reliability, harmony with the context of the verses, and the verification of occasions of revelation. It also discusses criteria for rejection, including weak or interrupted chains, contradiction with the Qur’an, elements of doctrinal exaggeration, and the infiltration of Isra’iliyyat and legendary reports. The study employs a descriptive-analytical approach, supported by a critical method in examining the contents of narrations and an applied method in demonstrating the effect of accepting or rejecting them on Qur’anic interpretation. The findings show that accepted narrations contribute to identifying intended meanings, determining referents of Qur’anic discourse, and preferring particular exegetical interpretations. By contrast, rejecting unreliable reports helps purify Qur’anic narratives from intrusive details, safeguard the status of prophets, and prevent interpretation from being based on reports unsupported by the Qur’an or its context. The study concludes that the integration of isnad and textual criticism is essential for constructing a disciplined tradition-based exegesis that preserves the centrality of the Qur’an and confines the explanatory role of narrations to the limits of authenticity and valid indication.