Citing general “Akhbar” in the interpretation of Quran

تفسیر القرآن میں اخبارِ عامہ سے استشہاد

Abstract

This article examines the phenomenon of citing general narratives and commonly circulated reports (Akhbār al-ʿĀmmah) in the interpretation of the Qur’an and analyses their impact on the classical exegetical tradition. The study argues that many Qur’anic commentators incorporated reports derived not only from Jewish and Christian traditions, commonly labelled as Isrā’īliyyāt, but also from widespread popular narratives that lacked authentic textual foundations. The article traces the historical development of such reports within Qur’anic exegesis and explains how they gradually entered the literature of tafsīr during the periods of the Tābiʿūn and later scholars. Particular attention is given to the role of commentators such as al-Thaʿlabī and al-Khāzin, whose works contain numerous legendary accounts, exaggerated stories, and weak narrations. Through analytical discussion and textual examples, the article demonstrates how these reports often contradicted Qur’anic principles, prophetic traditions, rational inquiry, and the doctrine of prophetic infallibility. The study further highlights the critical methodology adopted by scholars such as Ibn Kathīr and Rashīd Riḍā in evaluating such material. Ultimately, the article emphasises the necessity of a critical and scholarly approach towards non-authentic reports in Qur’anic interpretation in order to preserve the intellectual and theological integrity of tafsīr literature.