The Discourse Analysis of the Al-Taṭhīr Verse in Shia and Sunni Interpretations

Abstract

The Al-Taṭhīr verse is one of the most controversial verses of the Qur'an between Sunni and Shiite commentators. The Shia, based on the text of the verse as well as the narrations of Asbāb al-Nuzūl revelations, argue that this verse is about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his family. While many Sunnis have cited the context of verse and argued that the wives of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are also his ''Ahl al-Bayt̓''. Because of the theological arguments and different readings of the verse, the necessity of a new look at the interpretation of this verse is undeniable. Therefore, in this study, an analytical-comparative approach was used based on the interpretive views of Sunni and Shiite commentators to consider the topic of "Taṭhīr Verse" from the viewpoint of discourse analysis and it was concluded that the signification of this verse is independent. Although, according to some commentators, the context and the discipline may be a prerequisite for understanding the word, however, when the word is changed literally and spiritually, it suggests that there is no context and discipline. The literal analysis of the "Taṭhīr Verse" indicates that before and after this verse all pronouns have been brought in proportion to the target audience i.e. women, but with the onset of the word "Innamā" (i.e. rather, verily) the verse changes, indicating that the address of this verse is not the same as the address of the previous verse and the next verse. In the literal sense, all the previous verses and the next verses express threatening and reproach, but this verse, along with all the commentators, praise the Ahl al-Bayt (AS).