An Analytical Review of the Ideas of Sunni and Shi’ite Qur’anic Researchers on the Implications of the 219th Verse of Surah ash-Sho’arā’ about the Monotheism of the Prophet’s Ancestors (PBUT) and His Holy Ahl al-Bayt (PBUH)

Shi’ite and many Sunni scholars, based on rational and traditional arguments, recognize that the ancestors of the Holy Prophet of Islam have been believers; one of the evidences in this regard is the 219th verse of Surah ash-Sho’arā’ saying “And thy movements among those who prostrate”. The present study, using descriptive analysis, reviews the ideas of 114 Sunni and Shi’ite exegeses and categorizes them in 4 viewpoints: The first view believes that the content of the verse refers to conducting Roku’ and Sojud by the Prophet (PBUH) during congregational prayer; the second view holds that the verse denotes the Prophet sees his companions behind him during congregational prayer. However, these two interpretations perceive the verse to be away from the basic subject in discussion. The third view states that the Sājedin (those who prostrate), with reference to the traditions,  are Ahl al-Bayt; and the fourth view that is accepted by most of Sunni and Shi’ite commentators interprets that based on in-text evidence such as the implication of the words and the synthesis of the sentence as well as out-text evidence such as the narrations trusted by the early companions and commentators, the meaning of the verse confirms the lineage transmission  of the Prophet (PBUH) from his believer ancestors who were prostrating. The authors’ review indicates that, based on the evidences and reasons, it is appropriate to infer monotheism of the Prophet’s ancestors (PBUT) as the evident meaning or one of the meaning aspects of the verse relying on the potentiality of the words connoting more than a single interpretation. Moreover, the 3rd view has alignment, semantic contradiction and evidence expansion with that.