Book Review: Manṭiq-i Tafsīr-i Qur’ān (2): Rawishhā wa Girāyishhāy-i Tafsīri-ye Qur’ān [The Logic of the exegesis of the Quran (2): Exegetical Methods and Approaches to the Quran]

The book Manṭiq-i Tafsīr-i Qur’ān (2): Rawishhā wa Girāyishhāy-i Tafsīri-yi Qur’ān [The Logic of the Exegesis of the Quran (2): Exegetical Methods and Approaches to the Quran] (2006) written by Dr. Muḥammad-ʿAli Rezaei-Esfahāni provides a comprehensive exploration of the diverse methods and approaches employed in Quranic exegesis (tafsīr). Structured across nine chapters, it elucidates the multifaceted nature of tafsir, offering a systematic guideline for understanding and producing interpretations relevant to contemporary readers. The text begins by defining tafsir, method, and approach, and identifies factors such as the Quran’s nature, syntax, and the exegetes’ backgrounds that contribute to interpretive diversity. Exegetical methods are categorized into incomplete (e.g., Quran-by-Quran, hadith-oriented, scientific, allusive, and intellectual) and comprehensive methods, with the individual opinion-oriented method deemed invalid. Approaches are classified based on religious denominations, theological doctrines, exegetical expertise, and temporal contexts. Each chapter delves into specific methods—Quran-by-Quran, hadith-oriented, intellectual, scientific, allusive, and individual opinion-oriented—detailing their definitions, histories, scholarly perspectives, and criteria for authenticity. The comprehensive method, which integrates multiple valid approaches, is highlighted as essential for a holistic tafsir. The book concludes with an analysis of exegetical approaches, including thematic and sequential styles, and explores the relationship between Quranic tafsir and hermeneutics, offering insights into contemporary tafsir scholarship.