A Survey of References to Quranic Verses in Theological Discussions of Ehghagh-Al Hagh from the Context Perspective: The Case of Vision of God

Imamiyah, Ash’ariyyah and Mu’tazila theologians have expressed their views in their works with reference to Quranic verses, and they have done so even when trying to condemn one another for the expressed views. The question raised is whether the followers of different theological schools have paid enough attention to the context of the verses they have referred to and whether the context of use can be the source of different interpretations. Alamah Shushtari in Ehghagh-Al Hagh has drawn on Allameh Helli for Shiite theology and to Roozbehan for Ash’ari theology to provide support for the Shiite theological views and a critique of Ash’ari theological views. In their discussions, there are references to Quranic verses. The present article intends to explore the three theologians’ references to Quranic verses from the perspective of their context of use. The exploration will clarify the point that Roozbehan, in his reference to verse No. 143/Araf in his discussion of the vision of God, has misinterpreted the verse by using it in a physical sense and by doing so has imposed his theological view on its interpretation. Due to their efforts to reject Roozbehani’s views and in effect the Ash’ari theological views Alameh Helli and Ghazi Shushtari, have, to some extent, ignored the verse’s content of use.