Al-Kashshaaf

Al-Kashshaaf 'an Haqa'iq at-Tanzil, popularly known as Al-Kashshaaf ("the Revealer", al-Kashāf, Arabic: الكشاف‎) is a seminal tafsir (commentary on the Qur'an) by Al-Zamakhshari written in the 12th century. Considered a primary source by all major scholars, it is famous for its deep linguistic analysis, demonstrations of the supremacy of declamation of the Quran, and the representation of the method the Quran uses to convey meaning using literary elements and figurative speech. However, it is criticized for the inclusion of Muʿtazilah philosophical views.^[1]

Background

Al-Zamakhshari strongly insisted that scholars of the Muʿtazilah sect should have a basis tafsir of their own. Therefore he started writing his commentary in 1132, after he was convinced by Emîr Ebü'l-Hasan İbn Vehhâs while he was residing in Mecca, and finished it in two years. He himself states that writing such a book in a short time is a blessing of God.^[2] During his research, he referred to many older works and commentaries, especially Zeccac’s Mean’il-Kuran, which constitutes the basis of his work.^[3]

Content

In the preface, it is pointed out that commenting on the Quran is a challenging and difficult effort; and any mufassir willing to do so must have deep knowledge of Arabic language, literature, eloquence and culture, alongside critical thinking skills, a highly disciplined way of studying and general academic skills.^[4] Comments are a blend of logic and narrative, including many hadith (though the only source stated for these narratives is Sahih Muslim) and older accounts of Arabic poems.^[1] A very elegant analysis of words is done throughout the commentary, while figurative expressions are broken down, and appropriate qira'at is chosen where needed. Abrogated verses are indicated along with their successors. Verses containing Islamic jurisprudence are deduced according to the Hanafi school of law. Verses that seem contrary are reconciled. Some older comments are criticized, especially those of Sufi origin.

Criticism

Muʿtazilah viewpoint

One of the most criticized aspects of Al-Zamakhshari’s interpretations is his adaptation of Quranic verses according to the Mu’tazilah viewpoint.^[1] Al-Zamakhshari has interpreted verses that cohere with his viewpoint as muhkem (rigid), and those which don’t as mutashâbih (allegorical), and has abandoned the apparent meanings of some verses for the sake of preserving a strict Mu’tazilah view.^[5] Although Sunni scholars have recognized his book as a landmark, they have nearly always included supercomments with the book, clarifying the mistakes and differences of Mu’tazilah. During the Ottoman era alone, more than 200 refutations have been written against these views.

Frequent use of weak narratives

Scholars cite that Al-Zamakhshari uses narratives as a means to support his opinions without proper investigation of authentication. Al-Zamakhshari does not cite any references to the origin of narratives, and has included many parables without any fulcrum.

Excessive censure of Sufism

Al-Zamakhshari criticizes those practicing the Sufi sect harshly, and puts forward that the Quran is the source of these criticisms. There are also implicit insults directed towards Sunni scholars, whether just or unjust, obscuring the main objective of the book.

Editions

There are at least three^[6] different editions of the book. Ibn Hisham Nahvi speculated some errors with some meanings given to certain words, correcting them in his own edition of the book.

Footnotes