Molla Gurani's Commentary Criticism of Qadi and Zamakhshari on Their Interpretations of Fatiha and Baqara Suras

Abstract

This work deals with Molla Gurani's critique (d. 813/1488) of Qadi al-Baydawi (d. 596/1200) and Zamakhshari (d. 538/1144). The Fatiha and Baqara suras in his manuscript tafsir "Ghayat al-Amani" are chosen as the texts to examplify Molla Gurani's critique. His criticism is mostly related to language, qira'a (recitation and vocalization of Qur'anic text), conceptual meaning and disagreement in interpretations of the Qur'anic verses in question. Gurani primarly criticisez Qadi due to his reputation among Ottoman scholars. Gurani has not only criticized Kadi and Zamahshari in the commentary of the surahs Fatiha and Baqara but also Taftazani and Kavashi. This clearly shows thah he is a well-versed scholar in researching especially in comperative analysis. In this study, our investigation is limited to, however, Zemakhshari and Qadi. This stuyd shows that Zemakhshari is strictly bound to Ahl al-Sunnah. Moreover, the hadith reports are considerably important for him in understanding and interpreting the Qur'anic verses. He closely follows the interpretive traditions of early Muslim scholars, especially on the matters that Muslim scholars had an argeemnet.