نشریه قرآن پژوهی خاورشناسان (قرآن و مستشرقان)
سال سوم شماره 1 (پیاپی 4، بهار و تابستان 1387)

The two articles of Shiia and Tashayyo are among the articles of encyclopedia of Quran which contain topics such as literal and idiomatic meaning of the word Shiia in the Quran, Shiia perspectives about the Quran and narrations of alteration of Quran. In this assessment the article of “Shiia” and part of the article of “Tashayyo and Quran” has been discussed. The author as an orientalist has doubted the principals and fundamentals of Shiia and attributed unscholarly views to them. Therefore efforts have been made to respond with a methodological and scholarly criticism. From many criticisms, the followings can be pointed out:Reliability of Othman Mashaf which means current Mashaf of Muslims from early days until now, purity of Quran from alteration throughout the history of Tashayyo and perspectives of prominent Shiia scholars such as Sheikh Mofeed, Sheikh Tosi, Sayed Murtaza Alamulhoda and late Tabrasi about purity of Quran from alteration, also name of infallible Imams not being mentioned in the Quran.At the end, it is pointed out that Shiia has agreed that the formal and famous reading of the Quran is the same current reading among Muslims from the beginning until now. The Quran which is in our hands now is the perfect and the complete one which is pure from any alteration.

The articles “The family of the prophet” written by Ali Assani and “People of the house” written by Sharon have been published in the encyclopedia of the Quran. The authors of both articles in spite of referring to numerous sources have made major shortcomings and mistakes. The most important of their mistakes have roots in their ignoring the opposite sides reasons and arguments. With a comparison between the two articles, we find out that the first one is very short and squeezed in which the main matters haves not been discussed. And the second article although has argued several affairs, but has not been able to undertake the subject properly. It has also dealt with several subjects which has no compatibility with the infrastructure of verses of the Quran. Moreover the writer has referred to limited western sources which are maybe due to the author’s lack of access to different Shiia sources or his presumption that there is no need to refer to these sources. In this analysis with the discussion of the most important verse about Ahlulbait (Ahzab/33) its possibilities and reasons of the theme has been assessed and Shiia perspective has been elaborated.

This article consists of two parts: The first part is the biography and the translated text of the article “Fatima” written by Dr. Jane Dammen McAuliffe in the Encyclopedia of Quran which is a short report from the life and position of Fatima (S). The author later on deals with the three verses of Tathier (Ahzab\33), Mobahala (Ale-Emran\61), and verse 42 of Ale-Emran which is about Mariam. She mentions related interpretations and narrations and concludes that the two above mentioned verses are related to Fatima and the third one deals with the position of Mariam and Fatima and a comparison between the two. In regard to the Tathier verse, Mrs. McAuliffe quotes a narration from Akrama who has interrupted this verse about the wives of Prophet Mohammad. The second part of the article is the criticism and assessment of the above mentioned article which first lists the books related to Fatima and then mentions 135 verses of the Quran and their narrations about Fatima, and divides them into interpretative, comparative, eternal, paraphrase, causes of revelation and virtues. Then he evaluates the most important of them from the Shiia and Sunni interpreters and narrators perspectives. Among them Sura Kawthar (کوثر) and verses of dedication in Sura Insan.

“Imam” is one of the articles of Encyclopedia of Quran. It is a short report of the different meanings of the word Imam, the number of its usage in Quran and some of different Islamic sects’ viewpoints regarding Imam and Imamat. The writer while pointing out to the symbolic appointment of Abraham as Imam, discusses the perspectives of Khawarej, Ismailias, Nazaria, Mustalavia and Shiia (Twelve Imami) in regard to Imam and Imamat and points out some of their differences of opinion in this respect. Later he mentions that the Sunnis do not believe in the divine position of Imam and only use this word for the leader of congregation and scholarly figures. The critic of this article who has offered to different sources while completing and explaining the topics by offering a better report of perspectives and difference of opinions, believes that this article contains not only a great number of shortcomings, but also lacks impartiality and principles of trusteeship. The author of the article has also failed to pay attention to the main root of the Shiia-Sunni difference in regard to Imam and Imamat. The critic, while defending the Shiia perspective in relation to Imam and introducing some sources, mentions negligence and mistakes of the writer and explains each one of them.

Some orientalists believe that the prophet has taken all sciences and knowledge of the Quran from two sources: some from geographical, social, religious and cultural surroundings of Arabia (internal sources), and the other part from verbal sources of Jews and Christians of other nations (external sources). According to the writer’s belief, the holders of above mentioned views in regard to Quranic revelations have not followed the correct path of scholarly research and have not given historical evidence. More importantly, they have renovated the uncertain historical sequence of events with their pre-judgments and have preferred these presumptions over certain, actual and historical facts

Some Orientalists’ misconceptions and doubts about the Quran, revelation and prophet have influenced a number of Muslims. These reactive Muslims under the influence of orientalists’ thoughts have quoted their points of view without mentioning the source. Abdul Karim Soroush is one of them. He has mentioned issues regarding the impact of the age over the Quran and the Prophet. His likening to the poet, a change in the eloquency and fluency of Quran and definition to the knowledge of the Prophet has already been forwarded by Orientalists such as Montgomery Watt, Hirschfield, and Joseph Adams. The writer tries to demonstrate the reactive position of Soroush and prove his topics contradictions to the Quran and Islamic theology.

In this article, translation of John Burton’s article, “The Collection of the Quran” is first noted. He has concluded, in this article, that Quran is distorted and some of its verses are removed and to prove his views, he has mentioned some evidence and traditions. The critic of this article investigates the most important views of John Burton regarding collection of the Quran and has criticized them. He has clarified that his reasons and traditions do not imply what he intends or the traditions are weak and fabricated.