Difference of Opinions among Scholars in the Explanation and Interpretation of Al- Huruful Muqataat: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Al-Huruful Muqataat are the alphabets or letters whichs Allah Amighty has revealed in the Holy Quran. These are 14 Alphabets revealed in the Holy Quran such as: Alif. Lam. Mim., Alif. Lam. Mim. Sad., Alif. Lam. Raa., Kaf. Ha. Ya. Ain. Sad., Ta.ha., Ta.Sin., Ya. Sin., Sad, Ha. Mim., Ha. Mim. Ain. Sin. Kaf., Kaf, Noon. It is clear from the Letter that some are one letter, some are two letter or three or more. These letter are in the begining of 29 Surahs for example surah Al- Baqarah. Al- Imran, Al- Aaraf. Yunus. Hud, Yusaf etc.The honourable Muslim scholars has difference of opinion in the interpretation and explaination of Al-Huruful Muqataat. Some of them has tried to explain its meaning such as Imam Zemakhshari (538AH/1144AD), Imam Fakhruddin Razi (606AH/ 1210AD) and Shaykh Ibne Aashur (1393AH/ 1973AD) while some other reffered its meaning to the knowledge of Allah Almighty, and from them is Imam Qurtabi (671AH/1273AD), Imam Badavi (685AH/ 1286AD) and Imam Aalusi (1270AH/ 1802 AD). The Scholars of these both sides has their arguments for supporting their point of views. But the view point of Shah Wali Ullah Dehlavi (1176AH/ 1762 AD) has brought neutarlity between these two different opinion and point of view, which is discussed in this article thoroughly.