Qom University Comparative Interpretation Research 2476-4191 4 2 2019 02 20 The Historical Evolution of Commentators’ Views on the Concept of “Qavvamoon” The Historical Evolution of Commentators’ Views on the Concept of “Qavvamoon” 197 211 1186 10.22091/ptt.2018.2976.1320 FA Ja’far Nekoonam Associate Professor, Department of the Qur’anic Science and Hadith, University of Qom, 0000-0002-1511-2748 Farangis Safikhani Ph.D. Student in the Qur’anic Science and Hadith, Faculty of Usul al-Din in Qom Mohammad Javad Najafi Associate Professor, Department of the Qur’anic Science and Hadith, University of Qom 0000-0000-0000-0000 Journal Article 2018 03 05 The term “Gavvamoon” (literally maintainers) in Surah An-Nisa (Verse 34) is considered as one of the most challenging Qur’anic terms. Throughout history, various interpretations have been made by commentators on this word. The present article aims to explore the historical evolution of commentators’ opinions and the bases of their emergence since the 1^st century A.H. The results of the study show that because during early centuries, man was recognized as the superior gender having special privileges in the public culture, the term “Qavvam” was interpreted as the excellence and supremacy of man over woman in most of exegetic texts up until almost the 12^th century A.H. due to the superiority of men over women in terms of wisdom and belief on the one hand, and paying dowry and alimony to women on the other hand. However, since the 12^th century A.H. as women started to have more economic, social, and scientific role in society, the term “Qavvamoon” has been interpreted as correspondence, supervision, management, support, guardianship, enjoining good and forbidding wrong in relation to women. Undoubtedly, the scientific and cultural achievements of women have been very effective on the emergence of this interpretative approach. The term “Gavvamoon” (literally maintainers) in Surah An-Nisa (Verse 34) is considered as one of the most challenging Qur’anic terms. Throughout history, various interpretations have been made by commentators on this word. The present article aims to explore the historical evolution of commentators’ opinions and the bases of their emergence since the 1^st century A.H. The results of the study show that because during early centuries, man was recognized as the superior gender having special privileges in the public culture, the term “Qavvam” was interpreted as the excellence and supremacy of man over woman in most of exegetic texts up until almost the 12^th century A.H. due to the superiority of men over women in terms of wisdom and belief on the one hand, and paying dowry and alimony to women on the other hand. However, since the 12^th century A.H. as women started to have more economic, social, and scientific role in society, the term “Qavvamoon” has been interpreted as correspondence, supervision, management, support, guardianship, enjoining good and forbidding wrong in relation to women. Undoubtedly, the scientific and cultural achievements of women have been very effective on the emergence of this interpretative approach. https://ptt.qom.ac.ir/article_1186_248cf062522361490b08a2b633c392fd.pdf