A Research Study on the Historical Evolution of Jurisprudential Exegeses of the Quran

تفاسیر احکام القرآن:تاریخی ارتقاء کا تحقیقی مطالعہ

Abstract

Since the dawn of human existence, mankind has faced challenges necessitating intellectual and practical solutions. The Quran, as divine revelation, guides humanity, encouraging reflection and problem-solving. Scholars, responding to this divine call, engaged in understanding and interpreting the Quran to address everyday issues, giving rise to jurisprudential exegeses. These exegeses focus on practical aspects of life—political, legal, cultural, scientific, social, and moral—offering solutions derived from Quranic verses. This research provides a historical overview of jurisprudential exegeses, tracing their development and significance. It explores how early scholars, post-Prophetic era, faced new challenges requiring independent reasoning (ijtihad), leading to diverse interpretations. The study highlights the contributions of jurists like Imam Shafi’i, Imam Qurtubi, and others who compiled works like Ahkam al-Quran, systematizing legal rulings. These exegeses evolved from the second century Hijri, with formal compilations emerging in the third century, addressing jurisprudential principles and practical issues. They reflect the intellectual rigor of scholars who balanced tradition and reason, often citing companions and successors to support their interpretations. These works not only addressed contemporary issues but also profoundly influenced subsequent exegeses, shaping Islamic legal thought. The study underscores their enduring relevance in making Quranic guidance accessible, offering solutions to both individual and societal challenges across time. By examining their historical progression, this research highlights their role in facilitating Quranic understanding and practical application for the Muslim community.