A Review on the Meaning of “Ruku” in the Verse of Wilayah from Sunni and Shi’ite Perspective

One of the important verses on the subject of Wilayah is Surah Al-Ma’idah: 55 known as the verse of Wilayah that has caused extensive exegetic arguments between Sunni and Shi’ite denominations. This noble verse is controversial due to different perspectives such as asbab al-Nuzul (occasions of revelation), the meaning of Wilayah, the interpretation of “Allazina Amanu”, the reason of plurality in “Allazina Amanu”, and so on. The interpretation of Ruku is one of the basic aspects of this verse which is influential on the comprehension of the other parts of the verse and about which there are serious controversies between Sunni and Shi’ite denominations. The present article critically and comparatively represents the viewpoints of Sunni and Shi’ite commentators on the meaning of ‘Ruku”. This comparative study explores critical views of the Sunnis and Shi’ites, thematic analysis of “Ruku” in the Qur’an in terms of historical review and sequence of Nuzul, as well as its revelatory interpretation -outward Ruku- and its inward interpretation that is humbleness.