Professional Documents
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Fadil Samariaa
Fadil Samariaa
Fadil Samariaa
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Al-Ghernaty, Abu Gafar Ahmad bin Ibrahim al-Zubair al-Thaqafi (1403 A.H./1983
C.E.), Malak al-Tawl al-Qti bi zawy al-Ilhd wa al-Tatl fi Tawjh al-Mutashabih min
Aay al-Tanzl, edited by: Said al-Falah, 2nd edition, Beirut, Dar al-Gharb al-Isalmi, v.1, p.
5.
His grandfathers name by which he was known more than his name.
Al-Asim: his 8th grandfathers name & al-Thaqaf: the tribe of Ban Thaqf, his last
grandfathers tribe & al-Ghernaty: the city of Granada where he settled and became one
its renowned scholars. See: al-Ghernaty, Malak al-Tawl, p. 61.
Al-Zahaby, Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Othman, 1419 A.H./1998 C.E., Tazkirat alHuffz, Zakaria Omairt, 1st edition, Beirut, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmia, v. 4, p. 183.
By al-Falah, the editor of Malak al-Tawl, v. 1, p. 6.
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1. To respond to the atheists and other groups that deviated from Islam
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Ibn al-Khatb, Lisn al-Dn, al-Ihata fi Akhbr Ghirnata, 1339 A.H./1973 C.E., edited
by: Muhammad Abdullah Anan, Cairo, al-Khnaj bookstore, v. 1, p. 188.
Al-Ghernaty, Abu Gafar Ahmad bin Ibrahim al-Zubair al-Thaqafi al-Ghernaty, 1427
A.H./2006 C.E., Malak al-Tawl al-Qti bi zawy al-Ilhd wa al-Tatl fi Tawjh almutashabih min Aay al-Tanzl, edited by: Abdel-Ghan Muhammad al-Fs, 1st edition,
Beirut, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmia, v.1, p. 8.
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The Genesis and Development of The Science of Similarities in The Quran: A Reflection
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of The Role of al-Ghernaty and Fadhil Al-Samarrai
counter verse10.
Ibn al-Zubair says: The Quran is the most important book that
deserves much attention and to sacrifice time for it11.
verses he missed out signaling them with the Arabic letter (/gh).
Ibn al-Zubair says: I relied on al-Iskafis analysis of the Quranic
verses pointing out what he forgot and which was not mentioned
in his book Dorat al-Tanzil marking those verses with the Arabic
letter (/gh)12.
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The Genesis and Development of The Science of Similarities in The Quran: A Reflection
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of The Role of al-Ghernaty and Fadhil Al-Samarrai
4. Elaboration in details:
Elaboration was one of the salient features in al-Ghernatys
approach in writing which may be rarely found in other scholars
writings on the issue of similarity in the Quran. Though al-Iskafi
became famous for his elaboration, Ibn al-Zubair provided much
more lengthy explanations and for this he was attributed by alShethry as a man full of patience16.
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8. Personality reflections:
In Malak al-Tawl, al-Ghernatys personality is strongly
presented. However, this presence is not that much that might cause
boredom to the reader. Such a character may not be achieved by
many and therefore it is considered one of the main features of alGhernatys book.
The Role of Fadhil al-Samarrai in Reviving the
Science of Similarities in the Holy Quran
The Arab and Muslim world have known Fadhil Al-Samarrai through his
popular program Lamast Bayniyya shown on Sharjah TV. The program
was widely watched by Muslim society. Al-Samarrai became popular and
his fans used to wait in interest for his program to watch on Mondays and
Thursdays every week at 9:40 PM (Sharjah time-zone).
Al-Samarrais Biography and Family Background
Al-Samarrai is known as Abu Muhammad, Fadhil bin Salih bin Mahdi bin
Khalil al-Badri (from al-Badri tribe in the city of Samarra). He was born
in 1933 in Samarra. He was brought up in a religious prestigious house
with an average income. He was admitted to the Quran learning course at
Hasan Basha Mosque (one of the mosques in Samarra) in his early age.
He then memorized the whole Quran in a short period of time showing
sharp intelligence18. Al-Samarrai was seen as a prominent scholar admired
by the people of Samarra. His biography is found on many websites
such as: wikipedia19. He held many positions in a number of educational
institutions which we will come across in brief, in addition to his educational
background:
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http://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki
http://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki
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The Genesis and Development of The Science of Similarities in The Quran: A Reflection
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of The Role of al-Ghernaty and Fadhil Al-Samarrai
1. Contextual
In an interview, when al-Samarrai was asked about his
overwhelming focus on contextual dimension in analyzing the
similar Quranic verses, he replied yes, it is true and it is because
the context is the medium which directs the intended meaning of
similar verses. It is the main tool to discover the correct meanings of
similar Quranic verses. Thus, a reader of al-Samarrai can easily
realize this reality throughout his writings concerned. Apparently,
the contextual analysis is not only tool that the author adapted, yet,
there are some other approaches could be seen in his writings. He
himself asserts in this regard, Before giving examples, I would like
to make it clear that when a certain expression is examined, there are
many aspects involved: The context where the expression appears,
the Sura, the other contexts where similar expressions appear and
the other Suras where similar or different expressions appear. In
other words, in order to examine one expression we need to examine
all the other similar or different expressions in the Quran20.
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Al-Samarrai, Fadhil Salih, Lamast Baynia fi Nuss min al-Tanzl, 2nd edition, Cairo,
al-Atik company for Publishing Books, p. 252.
Al-Samarrai, Fadhil Salih, Balghat al-Kalima fi al-Tabr al-Quran, 2nd edition,
Cairo, al-Atik company for Publishing Books, p. 8.
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The Genesis and Development of The Science of Similarities in The Quran: A Reflection
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3. Frequent Quoting from the Quran: This could be due to alSamarrais adaptation of context in dealing with similar Quranic
verses in order to provide evidence on his understanding.
4. Diversity of Styles Between narration and discussion: AlSamarrai used two styles of writing to present a topic:
sometimes makes use of some Islamic sciences other than tafsr such
as qirt (readings of the Quran) and jurisprudence. For instance,
he points out in his book Balghat al-Kalima the principles of the
correct reading of the Quran on which he depended in examining
similar Quranic verses set by Ibn al-Jazar:
The principles of the valid reading are three: a verified
narration, one that agrees with Othmans copy of the
Quran and with the rules of Arabic language. Thus, if
one of these principles is missed out, the reading is said
to be weak, invalid or odd be it among the seven valid
readings, ten or even above that. This is the method used
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of The Role of al-Ghernaty and Fadhil Al-Samarrai
Comparison
variables
The language
Al-Ghernaty
The language of
al Ghernaty is
easy.
use of rhetoric in
expression.
The
basis
guidance
Al-Samarrai
Al Samarrais
language easier
and more visible
and closer to
understanding.
commonly using
Dialogue with the
methods of
reader making
rhetoric.
it an attractive
style.
Using narrative
style more than
the dialogue with
the reader.
of Consideration
Consideration
and meditation in
and meditation in
the context.
the context.
Dependence on
Dependence on
the science of
the science of
language: syntax,
language: syntax,
morphology and
morphology and
rhetoric.
rhetoric.
Dependence
Often selfon Durrat
reliance in
al-Tarteel by Alguidance.
Eskafi.
Extend in details moderate in
brevity and
extension
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Linguistics and
rhetoric science.
Interpretation
books.
Science of Holy
Quran
Science of
Hadith.
Science of
speech.
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He is a skilled
critic but the lack
of transferring
quotation did not
clearly disclose this
capacity.
Quotation
The lack of
transferring and
quotation
Innovation
renewal
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His innovation
and renewal than
Al-Ghernaty.
He innovated a
new approach
and interpreted
many verses that
had never been
interpreted.
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of The Role of al-Ghernaty and Fadhil Al-Samarrai
Al Samarrai has
been influenced
by his forerunners
and quoted them.
His citation of the
earlier scholars in
similarities is
little. Al- Ghernaty
is popularly quoted.
CONCLUSION
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