Comparative Study of the Opinions of Qurʾānic Exegetes Regarding Selected Apparently Contradictory Verses of the Qurʾān

منتخب بظاہر متعارض آیات کے تناظر میں مفسرین کی آراء کا تقابلی جائزہ

Abstract

Islam offers a comprehensive and universal code of life, and the Holy Qurʾān the final revealed scripture serves as an enduring source of guidance for humanity until the Day of Judgment. While certain Qurʾānic verses may appear to present contradictions at first glance, this study contends that the Qurʾān is entirely free from genuine inconsistency. Employing a descriptive and analytical methodology, the research examines selected instances of apparent contradiction through the lens of classical Islamic exegesis (tafsīr). Drawing upon the works of distinguished mufassirūn, including Qāḍī Thanāʾ Allāh Pānīpatī, ʿAllāmah al-Ālūsī, Mawlānā Ashraf ʿAlī Thānawī, Imām al-Ṭabarī, Imām al-Rāzī, Imām al-Suyūṭī, ʿAllāmah al-Zamakhsharī, Imām Ibn Kathīr, and Imām al-Qurṭubī, the study situates the discussion within established exegetical and juristic frameworks. Following a concise introduction to these scholars and their contributions to Qurʾānic interpretation, the paper analyzes three examples of ostensibly conflicting verses. By integrating the explanations of the commentators with relevant narrations of the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ and principles of Islamic jurisprudence (uṣūl al-fiqh), the study demonstrates coherent reconciliations that preserve the integrity and unity of Qurʾānic revelation. The findings indicate that perceived contradictions often arise from superficial readings, linguistic ambiguity, or insufficient contextual understanding. In contrast, rigorous scholarly inquiry consistently affirms the thematic coherence, linguistic precision, and theological harmony of the Qurʾān. This research seeks to clarify common misconceptions, reinforce the Qurʾān’s status as a unified and internally consistent source of divine guidance, and contribute to contemporary scholarship on Qurʾānic hermeneutics and interpretation.