The Historical Evolution of Commentators’ Views on the Concept of “Qavvamoon”

Document Type : Academicm and Research

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of the Qur’anic Science and Hadith, University of Qom,

2 Ph.D. Student in the Qur’anic Science and Hadith, Faculty of Usul al-Din in Qom

3 Associate Professor, Department of the Qur’anic Science and Hadith, University of Qom

Abstract

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 1st 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 12th 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 12th 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.

Keywords

References

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Comparative Interpretation Research
Volume 4, Issue 2 - Serial Number 8
February 2019
Pages 197-211

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