محسن نورایی

SUBJECT & OBJECTIVES: Despite the rich background of discussions on the relationship between Īmān (faith) and ‘Amal (deed) in Islamic theological, exegetical, and ethical texts, this relationship has rarely been explored from a linguistic and stylistic perspective—particularly through the lens of Taṣrīf (semantic diversification) in the Quran. Pre-modern scholarship on Islamic doctrinal movements, notably the Murjiʾa, has predominantly engaged in theological and content-based analysis of their central tenet: the conceptual decoupling of faith from religious deeds. However, the lack of research into the Quran’s rhetorical representation of this relationship opens a new lens for examining faith and deed as a conceptual and linguistic continuum within the divine text. METHOD & FINDING: This study employs an analytical-comparative methodology to critically examine the doctrinal separation of faith and deed. Numerous Quranic verses emphasize the inseparable connection between faith and righteous deed. These two concepts are frequently mentioned together within the Quran, leading to the conclusion that faith and righteous deed are interdependent in the Quranic perspective. Faith without deeds is merely a verbal claim, i.e., its true realization is only possible through righteous deeds.  CONCLUSION: Employing an innovative method of linguistic inference based on the Quranic style of Taṣrīf, this study demonstrates that even through the analysis of verses from the perspective of Taṣrīf techniques, one can discern the fundamental interconnection and coherence between faith and deed. Moreover, examining the verses related to faith and deed in light of rhetorical Taṣrīf reveals new layers of this relationship—most notably, the elevated reflection of action over faith, showing that action is not merely a function of faith, but in certain contexts, it also serves as the very means through which faith is manifested, strengthened, and actualized.

"Interpretation (Taʼwīl)" is one of the key topics in Quranic literature that has had significant importance and a special place in the fields of religious knowledge. To study and understand the Holy Quran correctly, research and investigation on this subject are necessary. The extent of Sayyid Murtaḍā's knowledge and the value of his works have led many researchers to consider his perspectives and works as subjects of their own scientific research. The present study aims, using a descriptive-analytical method, to examine interpretation in the Quranic thought of Sayyid Murtaḍā through. The research approach shows that Sayyid Murtaḍā introduced interpretation in the field of exegesis; it has general (ʻĀm) meaning which encompass exegesis. Therefore, when explaining the clear (Muḥkam) verses and also explaining the unclear (Mutashābih) verses, he used the term interpretation (Taʼwīl). According to him, there is a difference between the credibility of interpretation (proof of possible aspects) and the correctness of interpretation. His exegesis is in line with scientific and rational principles and he has a scholarly understanding of the Quran. His beliefs include belief in the divine nature of the Quranic words, belief in the comprehensibility of the Quran, affirmation of the truths in the words and expressions of the Quran, and the discovery of reasonable meanings attributable to God in the unclear (Mutashābih) verses, among others. The result of this research is beneficial for understanding the Quranic views of Sayyid Murtaḍā and benefiting from his experiences and skills in Quran exegesis; also, it addresses the need for a comprehensive approach to interpreting unclear and difficult verses.

Shaykh Ṣadūq has his specific methods and criteria for semantic analysis of the Gharīb (unfamiliar) terms in the field of hadith in general, and in the area of interpretation and semantics of vocabulary in particular; recognizing his methods and criteria in the semantic analysis of Gharīb words in the Holy Quran and the sayings of the impeccable Imams (AS) leads to the discovery of new approaches and the presentation of a more precise image of his methods and criteria in semantic analysis. Among his remaining works, one can find some of his views. The present study aims to observe and discover the types of explanations of Gharīb words in the thoughts of Shaykh Ṣadūq. To this aim was used a descriptive-analytical method and data collection is library-based. The result indicated that he used methods such as: Utilizing Shia theological arguments, defining examples for words, leveraging Arabic culture and literature, interpreting Gharīb words according to the companions, followers of the Imams (AS), and his scholars, highlighting grammatical points, using the sayings of the impeccable Imams (AS), stating all semantic aspects of a word, and preferring one meaning over others. Through his specific criteria, Shaykh Ṣadūq has been able to reach the core meaning and interpretive significance of Gharīb words.

From past to present, there have been many differences among Islamic thinkers about the quiddity of Mutashābih and its Ta’wīl in the Qur'an. Each of these thinkers has spoken on this subject according to their profession and method. In the meantime, the view of "Shari’at Sanglaji" is remarkable. Sanglaji, who is known for his modern thinking and inclination towards the Qur'an-sufficiency, believes that Qur'anic similarities mean the end of the matter and include only occult concepts. The general public is unable to comprehend similarities due to its preoccupation with tangibility. Leading research with a descriptive-analytical method tries to discuss some aspects of Sanglaji’s theory while accurately reporting his point of view. The result of the research shows that Sanglaji’s view does not have the necessary accuracy and credibility, because Mutashābih i.e. the similarity does not only include occult concepts but also material concepts. The result of this research is used in the field of Qur’anic research and interpretation.