مقاصد القرآن الكريم بين الإمامين البقاعي وابن عاشور

Abstract

This study aims at defining the ‘Maqasid al-Qur’an’ (objectives of the Qur’an), and clarify Ibn ‘Ashur’s and Al-Biqa‘i’s efforts and concerns with these Maqasid, through their works on the general Maqasid of the Holy Quran, Maqasid of Surahs (chapters), Ilm Munasabah (occasions/events) and context. The inductive approach was used to scrutinize both scholars’ views and sayings on the Maqasid al-Qur’an’, particularly from their books of tafsir (interpretation). The analytical descriptive method was also utilized to identify the important meanings and concepts included in the study such as Maqasid, Munasabah and context. In addition, the extrapolated evidences were discussed and analyzed. Then, a comparison between the two scholars was conducted. Among the main findings are both scholars have showed major concern with the general Maqasid of al-Qur’an. Al-Biqa‘I has divided these Maqasid into three categories, and the Tawheed (monotheism) category is the loftiest, whereas Ibn ‘Ashur has divided them into ten categories, not eight as known, considering Maqasid of righteousness as the highest. Ibn ‘Ashur is more profound and more detailed than Al- Biqa‘i. In terms of Maqasid of Surahs, both are concerned with them, and put them at the beginning of a surah, with a difference in labels; it is Maqsood to Al-Biqa‘i, and ‘Agrad (purposes) to Ibn ‘Ashur. Al-Biqa‘i is distinguished by Ilm Munasabah. He is the first one who connects between a Surah and its Maqsad, and the first to develop a special Maqsad for each Suarah, and connects the opening of Surah with the end of the Surah before in the whole Qur’an. As for Ibn ‘Ashur, he has connected between the Ayahs (verses), but not between Surahs. He is marked by finding out more than one Munasabah for one verse in some cases. Both are ingenious in using context to interpret the Qura’nic texts, and they have proved that there is no repetition in the Holy Qur’an. It is also found that the interpretation based on the Maqasid al-Qur’an combines between the concern with the words and meanings, in addition to be based on the concern with the Maqased, context and Munasabat through a holistic overview of the Holy Quran. This interpretation has found a solution to a long-standing problem- the lack and weakness of studies on Maqasid al-Qur’an, compared to a deluge of analytical interpretation books. The study ends with some implications and recommendations.