IGuidance of readings according to Al-Damdi (d. 1290 AH) in his interpretation Fath Al-Mannan in the interpretation of the Qur’an

Abstract

Abstract

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the Master of the Messengers, and upon his pure and noble family, and upon those who follow his path until the Day of Judgment.

This research is entitled: “The Interpretation of Irregular Qur’anic Readings and Their Impact on Exegesis and Legal Rulings.”

It sheds light on the importance of understanding irregular (shādh) Qur’anic readings and their influence on Qur’anic exegesis (tafsīr) and Islamic legal rulings (aḥkām). These readings were once recited as part of the Qur’an but later lost one of the conditions of canonical authenticity and were thus classified as irregular. As a result, the devotional act of reciting them in prayer was lifted, yet their interpretative and legal significance remains.

These readings continue to hold value in terms of meaning and may be acted upon in legal contexts, being treated similarly to solitary reports (khabar al-āḥād). Additionally, they are used as linguistic evidence.

This study aims to clarify the reality and ruling of irregular readings, outline the criteria for classifying a reading as shādh, introduce the most prominent transmitters of these readings, and highlight how jurists and exegetes have used them.

The research further illustrates the interpretive impact of shādh readings through examples that include:

• The new meanings they add;

• Interpretations by the Companions based on these readings;

• How these readings may support one of the possible meanings found in the canonical readings;

• The way they expand and enrich meaning.