The Impact of Grammatical Guidance on Qur'anic Interpretation A Comparative Study between al-Farra' and al-Zamakhshari

Abstract

This research aims to study grammatical interpretation in the exegesis of the Holy Quran by comparing the methodology of al-Farra' in his book "Ma'ani al-Quran" (The Meanings of the Quran) with that of al-Zamakhshari in his exegesis "al-Kashshaf" (The Revealer). The goal is to uncover the grammatical foundations each scholar employed in interpreting Quranic structures and to demonstrate the impact of this interpretation on the meaning. The research adopts a descriptive-analytical approach based on tracing and analyzing applied examples, along with a comparison of the interpretations of the two commentators on a number of Quranic verses. The study demonstrates that grammatical interpretation is a crucial tool in understanding the Quranic text, as it contributes to determining meaning and clarifying the various nuances of a verse. It also shows that al-Farra's methodology is characterized by reliance on oral tradition, the usage of classical Arabic, and extensive use of analogy, reflecting the approach of the Kufan ​​school. In contrast, al-Zamakhshari is distinguished by his precision in grammatical analysis and his linking of inflection to rhetorical meaning, influenced by the Basran school. The study concludes that the diversity of grammatical interpretations reflects the richness of the Arabic language and contributes to highlighting the precision of the Quranic structure.