Critical Evaluation of the Commentators’ Views on the Phrase "Sister of Aaron" with Emphasis on the Meaning of "Sister"
Document Type : مقاله پژوهشی
Authors
1 Master's Student in Quran and Hadith Sciences, University of Qom, Qom, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Theology, Faculty of Humanities, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
10.22084/qss.2025.29780.1066
Abstract
One of the expressions that commentators differ in interpreting is the phrase "Sister of Aaron" in verse 28 of Surah Maryam. Some Orientalists have also sought to define the meaning of this expression. Another point of contention among commentators is the reference to Aaron in this verse, which has been interpreted as various figures, including the brother of Prophet Moses (AS), the biological brother of Mary (AS), a pious individual named Aaron, and a corrupt person who lived during Mary’s time. The present study, with an analytical-critical approach, studied the opinions of commentators and presented a different interpretation that is in harmony with the context of the verse. The research concludes that, in line with various interpretations from both Shia and Sunni perspectives, the meaning of "similar" and "like" was chosen for the term "Sister," which was used in a figurative sense by the Israelites to reproach Mary (AS). It seems that factors such as the distance from the atmosphere of the verses’ revelation and a lack of attention to the various meanings of the word "sister" in Arabic literature, along with a disregard for the narration transmitted from the Prophet Muhammad (S), have contributed to the misconception regarding this expression.
Keywords
The Quran (Translation by Hossein Ansarian).
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4. Alusi, Mahmood ibn Abdullah (1994): Ruh al-Ma'ani, Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah.
5. Badavi, Abdulrahman (2014): Defense of the Quran Against Its Critics, translated by Kamal Jadalallah, Cairo: Al-Dar al-Alamiyyah for Books and Publication.
6. Baghawi, Hussein ibn Mas'ud (1999): Tafsir al-Baghawi, Beirut: Dar Iḥyaa alTurath al-Arabi.
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15. Ibn Arabi, Muhammad ibn Ali, and Ghorab, Mahmood Mahmood (1989): Rahmat min al-Rahman, [No Publisher].
16. Ibn Ashur, Muhammad Tahir (1999): Al-Tafsir, Beirut: Arab History Foundation.
17. Ibn Kathir, Ismail ibn Umar (2003): Qesas al-Anbiya (Ibn Kathir), Volume 1. Beirut: Dar and Maktabah al-Hilal.
18. Ibn Manzur, Muhammad ibn Mukaram (1993): Lisan al-Arab, Beirut: Dar Sader.
19. Jawadi Amoli, Abdullah (2020): Tafsir Tasnim, Qom: Asra Publishing Center.
20. Jurjani, Ali ibn Muhammad (1991): Al-Ta'arifat, Tehran: Nasir Khusraw.
21. Khatib, Abdul Karim (2003): Al-Tafsir al-Qurani lil-Quran, Beirut: Dar al-Fikr al-Arabi.
22. Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir ibn Muhammad Taqi (1982): Bihar al-Anwar al-Jami'ah li-Durar Akhbar al-A'immah al-Athâr (ed. Beirut), Beirut: Dar Iḥyaa alTurath al-Arabi.
23. Makarem Shirazi, Nasser (1992): Tafsir Nimunah, Tehran: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah.
24. Maraghi, Ahmad Mustafa (n.d.): Tafsir al-Maraghi, Beirut: Dar al-Fikr.
25. Ma'rifat, Muhammad Hadi (2002): Shubuhat wa Rudud Hawl al-Quran alKarim, Qom: Tamhid Cultural Foundation.
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36. Reland, A. (1717): De religione Mohammedica libri duo. Editio altera auctior, Utrecht, Willem Broedelet.
37. Shobbr, Abdullah (1989): Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim, Qom: Dar al-Hijrah Foundation.
38. Shokri, Mohammad; Nazari, Ali (2016): A Response to the Objection of the Title "Sister of Aaron" to Mary in the Holy Quran, Quranic Research, 21(79), 96-109. https://civilica.com/doc/683719
39. Suyuti, Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr (1983): Al-Durr al-Manthur fi al-Tafsir bil-Ma'thur, Qom: Mar'ashi Library.
40. Tabari, Muhammad ibn Jarir (1991): Jami al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Quran (Tafsir al-Tabari), Beirut: Dar al-Ma'rifah.
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45. Torayhi, Fakhr al-Din ibn Muhammad (1996): Majma' al-Bahrayn, Tehran: Mortezavi.
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)
Volume 3, Issue 2
March 2025Pages 128-149
- Receive Date: 06 July 2024
- Revise Date: 20 January 2025
- Accept Date: 17 February 2025