A Study and an Evaluation of a Tradition on the Quantity of Quranic Verses in the Book of Al-Kafi

In a tradition in the book of Al-Kafi, the number of the verses of the holy Quran has been claimed to be seventeen thousand. The tradition has always been studied by Shia Quran-researchers, and used by opponents, especially Wahhabites, to invade Shia in general, and the author of the book, the late Koleyni, in particular. The validity of Al-Kafi and the authenticity of the tradition make it difficult to present a solution. Mentioning different viewpoints on the tradition and its chain of transmission, this article offers a solution for this problem. Researchers have suggested two ways to solve the problem of the mentioned tradition. First, they have emphasized on the different versions of Al-Kafi and believe that in valid versions of this book the number of verses differ from other versions. Second, the number of verses should be evaluated according to the interpretive revelation or exegesis of Quranic verses in smaller parts. Each of these solutions has their own advantages or disadvantages.