The Department of Arabic Language at the College of Education for the Humanities, University of Kerbala, discussed the doctoral dissertation “Layers of Quranic Interpretation as introduced by Imam Ali (Peace Be Upon Him): A Linguistic Analytical Study,” by the PhD candidate Marwa Shafi Abd Al-Sada, under the supervision of Professor Dr. Hassan Abd Al-Ghani Muhammad.
The study aims to uncover the intricate layers of understanding Quranic verses as found in Imam Ali’s (PBUH) narrations, demonstrating his comprehensive insight into interpreting the Holy Quran as a strongly interwoven text. Additionally, the research underscores the concept that the holistic meaning of the Quran emerges only when the cumulative meanings of its sentences are viewed as a unified whole. The study highlights the dynamic interaction between different parts of the text, asserting that all the parts of the structure must be taken into consideration. The importance of these interwoven parts of the holy Quran is concluded to be introduced by Imam Ali who offers a cohesive and all-encompassing vision of understanding Quranic verses, where seemingly distinct elements come together to form a unified whole.
The study consists of three chapters. The first chapter examines Quranic understanding at the linguistic level based on Imam Ali’s (PBUH) perspective. The second chapter focuses on textual coherence and interaction at the textual level. Finally, the third chapter discusses Imam Ali’s comprehensive insights into Quranic interpretation at the pragmatic level.
Among the significant findings of the study is the adoption of a”mixed method” in the analysis, which combines multiple methodologies in a structured manner to achieve the research objectives. The study required methodological diversity due to the material’s varying nature and the research goals, incorporating description, analysis, deduction, and comparison.
The dissertation defence committee consisted of the following honourable professors:
• Prof. Dr. Hadi Shandokh Hamid (Chairman)
• Prof. Dr. Jinan Mansour Kadhim (Member)
• Prof. Dr. Ali Rahim Hadi (Member)
• Assist. Prof. Dr. Khaled Abbas Hussein (Member)
• Assist. Prof. Dr. Sarmad Adel Sahib (Member)
• Prof. Dr. Hussein Abd Al-Ghani Muhammad (Supervisor and Member)
