The Real Difference Problem in Tafsir of the Companions and Its Reasons

Abstract

The companions are people who witnessed to sending of revelation and knew its language naturally. Thereby they acquired a privileged position in understanding of the verses correctly. Although they understood general purposes of the verses or basic orders and prohibitions of the religion, their difference (ihtilaf) about what is meant in some verses/terms (lafz) is reported in some sources. Differences of the companions on the tafsir prompted some scholars to scrutinize nature of the difference. As a result, differences are separated into two parts as difference of variation/difference in appearance (ihtilaf tanawwu '/zahiri) and difference of contradiction/real difference (ihtilaf tadadd/haqiqi). The differences and concepts are investigated based on polysemy of terms or contradicting meanings with one another. This case brings about an uncertainty in ascertaining whether a difference is contradictory/real or variation/in appearance. Thereby, it differs whether difference of contradictory/real difference is in tafsir of the companions or not in terms of scholars. We think that the differences shouldn't be investigated based on polysemy or contradicting meanings with one another, rather, they should be analyzed based on criterions like intent of Allah, perception of audience, unity in time and place, consistency of applications in practice. If it is regarded so, the real differences are seen in tafsir of the companions. Although they had witnessed to sending of revelation, some reasons caused them to differ in tafsir of the verses.