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UMI: Foreign text omited
This paper analyzes the exegetical texts pertaining to the opening verses of Surat al-Rum (30:1-5) concerning the Byzantine-Persian wars of the early seventh century, and attempts to establish a "history of reader reaction to the Qur'an." Consultation of a number of commentaries down to the late fourteenth century and study of various interpretations given to these verses reveal that the very understanding of Surat al-Rum was influenced by the fluctuating relationship between the Islamic and Byzantine states and by the general historical developments affecting the Near East. By scrutinizing the various grammatical constructions and interpretations given to these verses, one is able to construct trends and motivations in exegesis. However, this study also clearly reveals that no matter how elaborate and contorted the explanations were, the exegetical tradition exercised a strong and constraining influence.
QUR'AN COMMENTARIES HAVE, in recent years, been exploited to "reconstruct trends and motivations in exegesis as revealed by the use and invention of textual and orthographic variants to the Qur'an."1 One of the functions of interpretation is to adapt the text to the present situation of the interpreter, making the text applicable to the faith and way of life of the believers and aligning it with established social custom, legal position and doctrinal assertions.2
The opening verses of SF rat al-Ram (30:1-5) read as follows:
Alif Lam Mim ( 1 ) The Greeks have been vanquished (2) in the nearer part of the land; and, after their vanquishing, they shall be victors (3) in a few years. To God belongs the Command before and after, and on that day the believers shall rejoice (4) in God's help; God helps whomsoever He will; and He is All-mighty, the Allcompassionate (5).3
Through an analysis of the exegetical texts pertaining to these verses, this article will attempt to establish a "history of reader reaction to the Qur'an,"4 quite meaningful in this context, since the texts under scrutiny divulge a changing attitude toward the Byzantines. I have consulted major commentaries down to the late fourteenth century and studied the various interpretations given to these verses against their specific historical background. I have also examined other exegetical genres such as asbab al-nuzul, gharib al-Qur'an, ma'ani al-Qur'an, and irab al-Qur'an. In order...