Document Type : Research Article
Author
payamenoor university
Abstract
The term Mathānī serves as a pivotal descriptor of the Holy Qur’an, appearing in two significant verses that have long been the subject of intense scholarly inquiry. While Islamic exegetes have analyzed its profound implications, the nature of this term has also been extensively debated within Orientalist discourse through various methodological lenses. The primary objective of this research is to provide a critical examination of Western studies concerning the term and concept of Mathānī. Traditionally, Orientalist scholars have classified Mathānī as a loanword within the Qur’anic lexicon, frequently interpreting it as “stories centered on retribution,” while James Bellamy have even suggested the possibility of textual corruption.Utilizing an analytical-critical methodology based on extensive library research, this study investigates these Western perspectives. The findings reveal that Orientalist scholars lack consensus regarding the etymological roots of Mathānī and fail to provide a rigorous logical foundation for their claims. Furthermore, the interpretation of Mathānī as “stories of retribution” is found to be fundamentally contradictory to the teleological purpose and wisdom inherent in Qur’anic narratives. Such an interpretation also fails to align with the intratextual context provided in Surah al-Ḥijr (15:87) and Surah al-Zumar (39:23). Additionally, the proposed alternative al-Matālī is rejected due to its distinct morphological and semantic structure, its absence in the canonical recitations , and a lack of literary or poetic evidence in classical Arabic corpora. Ultimately, this research concludes that Orientalist views are largely predicated on the hypothesis of biblical borrowing, lacking substantive evidence to support their claims regarding Mathānī
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