Tafsir Meshkat
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| Author | Mohammad Ali Ansari |
|---|---|
| Original title | تفسیر مشکات |
| Language | Persian |
| Subject | Qur'anic exegesis |
| Genre | Islamic literature |
| Publication place | Iran |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover & Paperback) |
Tafsir Meshkat is an exegesis on Qur'an by contemporary Shia Islam scholar Mohammad Ali Ansari in Persian. The book makes use of old and new Persian poems, as well as history, sociology and other scientific observations, with a focus on the etymology and meanings of the words used in the Qur'an.[1][2]
Title Significance
[edit]The title "Meshkat" (مِشْکاة) refers to the "niche" mentioned in the Quranic verse of light (An-Nur 24:35), symbolizing a channel of divine guidance. Ansari selected this title to reflect the tafsir’s mission of illuminating Quranic wisdom and guidance for humanity.[3]
Author and Background
[edit]Mohammad Ali Ansari (born 1964) is a prominent Iranian Shia scholar and researcher. He began the Tafsir Meshkat project around the year 2000 CE. As of 2025, the commentary comprises 40 volumes, with 16 volumes published by Noor Hedayat Cultural Institute based in Mashhad, Iran.[4][5]
Methodology and Features
[edit]Tafsir Meshkat employs a distinctive approach characterized by:
- Guidance-Centric Interpretation
The commentary highlights the Quran’s primary function as "هدًى للناس" (guidance for mankind), focusing on practical and spiritual guidance rather than purely academic or linguistic analysis.[6]
- Interdisciplinary Synthesis
It integrates Quranic linguistics with Persian classical and modern poetry, historical narratives, and sociological observations to enrich the interpretation.[7]
- Accessible Language
The tafsir uses clear and contemporary Persian to make complex theological and legal concepts understandable, especially in volumes covering Surah Al-Baqarah and its legal injunctions.[8]
| Volume | Surahs Covered | Key Themes Addressed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al-Fatihah | Quranic hermeneutics |
| 2–6 | Al-Baqarah | Legal injunctions & social ethics |
| 7–9 | Al-Imran | Theological debates |
| 16 | Al-A'raf | Spiritual purification |
Distinctive Elements
[edit]- Incorporates over 1,200 Persian poetic references to illustrate Quranic concepts.[9]
- Each volume dedicates approximately 15% of its content to "applied guidance" sections, demonstrating the relevance of verses to contemporary life.[10]
- Employs a unique verse categorization system focusing on:
1. Lexical analysis 2. Historical context 3. Guidance implications
Reception
[edit]Tafsir Meshkat is widely used in Iranian hawzas (seminaries) and Quranic institutes. It is praised for making Quranic exegesis accessible to younger audiences by employing contemporary language and incorporating psychological insights. However, some traditional scholars critique it for limited engagement with classical Arabic tafsir literature.[11][12]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Hedayat Nour Organization". hedayatnoor.ir (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2014-04-11.
- ^ Ahsan Al-Hadis Organization
- ^ "سوره النور، آیه ۳۵". قرآن کریم (in Arabic).
- ^ Ansari, Mohammad Ali (1400). مقدمه تفسیر مشکات (in Persian). Mashhad: Noor Hedayat Cultural Institute.
- ^ "تفسیر مشکات" (in Persian). Noor Hedayat Cultural Institute. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
- ^ Ansari, Mohammad Ali (1401). "روششناسی تفسیر مشکات". فصلنامه علوم قرآن (in Persian) (12): 50–65.
- ^ Hosseini, Ali (1402). "نقش شعر فارسی در تفسیر مشکات". مجله ادبیات دینی (in Persian) (4): 110–123.
- ^ Mousavi, Zahra (1400). "زبان و بیان در تفسیر مشکات". پژوهشنامه زبان فارسی (in Persian). 3 (2): 78–90.
- ^ Ansari, Mohammad Ali (1401). شعر و تفسیر (in Persian). Vol. 1. Noor Hedayat Cultural Institute.
- ^ Rezaei, Mehdi (1402). کاربردپذیری تفسیر مشکات در زندگی معاصر. همایش ملی قرآن و زندگی (in Persian). Tehran.
- ^ Kazemi, Reza (1403). "نقد و بررسی تفسیر مشکات". مجله نقد علوم دینی (in Persian) (8): 30–45.
- ^ Jafari, Narges (1402). تفسیر مشکات و سنت تفسیری شیعه (Master's thesis) (in Persian). University of Tehran.
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