The Problem of the Qur’an in Interpretation (Al-Lubab fi Ulum Al-Kitab) by Ibn Adel through the Verses of Surat Al-Isra

Abstract

"This study explores the topic of problematic verses (mushkil al-Quran) in the interpretation of Ibn Adil's 'Al-Lubab' through the verses of Surah Al-Isra. It compiles evidence from Ibn Adil's solutions to the problematic verses, examining them through inductive and analytical methods in both theoretical and practical investigations.

The research plan is structured into an introduction to 'mushkil', a biography of the author and his interpretation, followed by a theoretical investigation of 'mushkil' and its types, with examples and a description of Ibn Adil's approach. Then, a practical investigation of the evidence for 'mushkil' is arranged according to the verses of Surah Al-Isra. The research aims to conduct an analytical study of the 'mushkil' verses in Surah Al-Isra from 'Al-Lubab' that have not been previously studied. It also seeks to identify the meanings Ibn Adil conveyed in his interpretation of the verses and his method of resolving the issues. Among the most important findings of the research are: that the occurrence of 'mushkil' in Ibn Adil's work is abundant, and his interpretation almost seems arranged according to the problematic nature of the verses, encompassing all types of 'mushkil' in each Surah. The types of 'mushkil' in Ibn Adil's interpretation include those related to wording, meaning, contradiction, variant readings, grammar, as well as intellectual, legal, and jurisprudential problems. The most frequent are the 'mushkil' due to the strangeness of the wording and the 'mushkil' of variant readings. His responses to resolve the issues mostly align with the views of many commentators and are not considered unusual or strange, but rather adhere to the sound approach of relying on transmitted evidence. Furthermore, Ibn Adil frequently benefits from Al-Razi and relies on diverse and continuous sources in guiding his interpretation, including: the interpretations of Al-Tabari, Al-Zamakhshari, Ibn Atiyyah, Al-Qurtubi, Al-Wahidi, Abu Hayyan, Al-Zajjaj, Abu Ubaidah, Al-Tha'labi, and others."