Al-Imam Al-Baqir and Al-Imam Al-Sadiq’s Interpretation of the Holy Quran between Denotation and Connotation

Abstract

If the interpretation of the Holy Quran is an explication of what Almighty Allah intends in it, in addition to deducing its denotations and connotations, then this interpretation should be taken from Ahlul Bait (Prophet Mohammed’s infallible progeny, peace be upon them) for they are its counterpart and the repository of its secrets. Therefore, the interpretation books are full of their interpretive narrations and illustrative references, especially those by Al-Imam Al-Baqir and Al-Imam Al-Sadiq (peace be upon them).

The researcher who considers the interpretive heritage of these two Imams (peace be upon them) will find it a connotative interpretation based on the intention that allows for a multiplicity of opinions and expounds the combination of contradictory ones. The forms and patterns of this interpretation are varied, with the diversity of the purpose and the goals of connotation.