A Comparative Analysis of the Interpretation of the Verses of Hijab in Al-Kashshaf and Al-Mizan Commentaries

The Verses 31 of Noor, 53 and 59 of Ahzab are known as the verses of hijab. The present study seeks to investigate the method of interpretation of the above verses in the commentaries Al-Kashaf and Al-Mizan. Based on the order of revelation and appearance of the verses, God Almighty first instructs the believing men in verse 53 of Ahzab that their encounter with the wives of the Prophet (s) should be "min wara`i hijabin". Then, in verse 59, he asks the believing women to cover themselves with "jalbab" so that they will not be harassed by those illegal to them. Finally, in verse 31 of Noor, by mentioning the details of the issue of hijab, draws its limits. In the meantime, Zamakhshari has sometimes provided an unacceptable interpretation of the verse in question, citing weak narrations. When comparing his views with those of Allameh Tabatabai and evaluating his reasons and documents, some of Zamakhshari's views such as viewing the second caliph`s discontent and zeal of foreign`s coming and going in the house of the Holy Prophet (s) as the revelation ground of the verse of Ahzab are surely unacceptable. Also, both commentators have sometimes given up the appearance of the verse without any reason and have given an interpretation contrary to the appearance.