IMAM SHA'TBI'S PRINCIPLES OF QUR’ĀNIC INTERPRETATION: AN EXCLUSIVE STUDY IN THE LIGHT OF AL-MAWAFQAT

امام شاطبی ؒ کے اصول تفسیر:الموافقات کی روشنی میں اختصاصی مطالعہ

Abstract

The present study is to discuss and highlight the work and the principles of Imām Shāṭibi which he introduced in the book Al-Mawafqat. Imām Shāṭibi (8th Century AH) was one of the scholars of Al-Andalus and a genius in Islamic jurisprudence and interpretation of Qur'an. He has authored several books and among them Al-i'tisam and Al-Mawafqat gained more popularity. Al-Mawafqat is mainly concerned with jurisprudence, ijtihad and the aims of Shari'ah. Within the discussion of jurisprudence, he has also stated the principles of interpretation of the Qur'an.  In the present article, I have discussed eighteen of his principles which he has mentioned in his book Al Mawafqat. For the ease of readers, each principle is given a title in this article with an explanation and analysis to highlight his contribution in the fields of Islamic jurisprudence, Quranic interpretation, and Islamic Shari'ah.