Al-Bishārah” by Abū ʿAbd Allāh Muḥyī al-Dīn Muḥammad ibn Sulaymān al-Kāfījī: A Study and Critical Edition

Abstract

The research aims to study and edit the manuscript of Imam Muhyi al-Din Muhammad bin Suleiman al-Kafayji (d. 879 AH), which is itled “Al-Bishārah” which is a treatise on the Words of Almighty Allah: “Then come forth a chapter alike”, in which the author - may Allah have mercy on him - dealt with nullifying the wrong interpretations of this verse, and refuting it. For those who delve into it relying only on the logical rules and abstract rational inferences far away from the Arabic forms to which Qur’anic rhetoric is subjected to. In this treatise, Imam Al-Kafayji, Muzaffar al-Din al-Shirazi, made a mistake in what he researched and in what he inferred, because he relied on sheer logical rules in his inference. The research plan included an introduction, two topics, a conclusion, and indexes. The introduction dealt with the importance of the title, the reasons for choosing it, previous studies, the research plan, and its methodology. It was divided into two sub-topics. The first sub-topic dealt with the academic aspect related to introducing the author and the manuscript. The second sub-topic is specific to the edited text. Then I concluded the research with a conclusion that included the most important findings and recommendations. One of the most important findings was proving the invalidity of Imam Muzaffar al-Din al-Shirazi’s statement about the verse under study, which is based on abstract logical inferences. It was also concluded on through the study that the pronoun in the Almighty’s saying: “Then bring forth a chapter alike” refers to the revelation, and its meaning is: They should produce a surah that is similar to its description in the unique explanation and elegant composition. It also became clear that it is invalid to interpret the verses of the Glorious Qur’an based on logical rules while neglecting the Arabic methods, as the Qur’an cannot be adjudged by abstract rational inferences. Among the recommendations is that researchers should pay more attention to the writings of Imam Al-Kafayji, as some of them are still in manuscript and need to be produced, studied, and edited due to the great knowledge contained in the writings of this eminent scholar. Allāh knows best, and may Allāh’s blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and all his companions.