Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Associate Professor, Department of Quranic and Hadith Sciences, Vali-e-Asr University, Rafsanjan, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor of Qur’anic Sciences and Hadith,University of Qur’anic Sciences and Teachings, Bojnourd, Iran.
Abstract
Verse 172 of Surah Al-A'raf is considered one of the foundational verses in Islamic thought. This verse speaks of a covenant that God Almighty established with humanity, requiring them to uphold it. Islamic scholars, often drawing on certain hadiths, have referred to a idea known as the "World of Atoms" (ʿĀlam al-Dharr) in relation to this verse. Although this idea is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran, its early emergence across a diverse range of hadith, tafsir, theological, and mystical discourses in the early Islamic centuries underscores its significance. Despite extensive research on this idea in general and its association with Verse 172 of Surah Al-A'raf in particular, significant disagreements persist. The present study seeks to explore this idea by analyzing the hadiths that serve as its foundation. Additionally, adopting a Quran-to-Quran interpretive approach, it critically examines interpretive opinions and concludes that: (1) structurally, Verse 172 of Surah Al-A'raf is similar to other verses emphasizing the divine covenant with prophets, the Children of Israel, the progeny of Adam, and others; and (2) contrary to common belief, this verse provides no explicit support for the aforementioned idea of theʿĀlam al-Dharr.
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