An Analysis of Beheshti&#039;s Interpretative Method and Its Function in Islamic Convergence and the Approximation of Islamic Schools of Thought

Abedini, Mohammad Mahdi; Mosaeipour Yazdi, Abbas

doi:10.22034/mtmi.2026.489558.1824

An Analysis of Beheshti's Interpretative Method and Its Function in Islamic Convergence and the Approximation of Islamic Schools of Thought

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

mohammad mahdi abedini ¹

Abbas Mosaeipour Yazdi ²

¹ Master&amp;amp;#039;s student at Imam Sadiq University, majoring in Islamic Knowledge and Quranic Sciences and Hadith.

² Faculty Member of the Department of Quranic Sciences and Hadith at Imam Sadiq University

10.22034/mtmi.2026.489558.1824

Abstract

Achieving an efficient model for understanding the Holy Quran that can respond to emerging social issues while providing a platform for Islamic convergence and the approximation of Islamic schools of thought (Taghrib) is one of the major concerns of contemporary Quranic studies. In this context, analyzing the interpretative method of reformist and socially-oriented thinkers such as Beheshti becomes significant. This research, employing a descriptive-analytical method and utilizing library sources, aims to extract and model his principles, rules, and interpretative method. The findings indicate that Beheshti's interpretative method is a comprehensive Ijtihadi approach with a social inclination. Based on the principle of the possibility of public understanding of the Quran and the rule of referring ambiguous verses (Mutashabihat) to clear ones (Muhkamat), he utilizes the "Quran by Quran" interpretation method. A distinctive feature of his method is the inclusion of conditions of the revelation era and understanding vocabulary within their historical context to extract social systems. Furthermore, he considers the role of Imamate and leadership effective in understanding the deep layers of verses and applying them to the exigencies of the time. Consequently, Beheshti's interpretative method holds a high capacity for the approximation of Islamic schools of thought due to its focus on Quranic Muhkamat and avoidance of interpretation by opinion (Tafsir bi-l-Ra'y) or stagnation on speculative narrations. By presenting a rational and social understanding of religion, this method creates a common language for inter-sectarian dialogue aimed at resolving the dilemmas of the Islamic society.

Keywords

Quranic Interpretation Method

Shahid Beheshti

Social Interpretation

Quran by Quran Interpretation

Approximation of Islamic Schools of Thought

Islamic Unity