The Convergence of Sunnī Doctrines in the Interpretation of Shīʿah Jurisprudential Narrations

Poorsedqi, Reza; Mahmudkhah, Mohammad Reza

doi:10.22034/jrj.2025.70397.2909

The Convergence of Sunnī Doctrines in the Interpretation of Shīʿah Jurisprudential Narrations

Document Type : Research (Normal Review)

Authors

¹ Director of the Principles Department of the Fiqh Center of the Holy Imams (AS), and PhD in Fiqh and Fundamentals of Law from the University of Qom, Iran

² Scholar at the Jurisprudential Center of the Holy Imams (AS), Qom, Iran.

10.22034/jrj.2025.70397.2909

Abstract

Rational evidence consistently influences the semantic interpretation of textual sources. Consequently, an awareness of the historical context in which ḥadīth were issued, as well as the prevailing social conditions, can provide critical insight for accurately understanding narrations. Some scholars, emphasizing the role of transmission contexts, argue that Sunnī jurisprudential doctrines influenced the formation of Imāmī narrations, thereby framing Imāmī jurisprudence as a derivative commentary on Sunnī jurisprudence. Conversely, others entirely reject the notion that Sunnī thought shaped the interpretation of Shīʿah traditions.
This study employs an analytical-critical methodology, examining textual sources and expert opinions to demonstrate that neither of these two positions is entirely defensible. Historical evidence, along with the practical approaches of jurists throughout Islamic legal history—reflecting their established intellectual traditions—suggests that recourse to Sunnī jurisprudence is necessary only in cases where an Imāmī narration is ambiguous or excessively concise, and where such reference may resolve interpretive difficulties. However, when a narration possesses an independent and coherent apparent meaning (ẓāhir), external reference becomes unnecessary. This perspective is grounded in the principle recognized by rational thinkers (ʿuqalāʾ) that the mere possibility of an alternative interpretation does not invalidate the prima facie meaning of a text.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Philosophy of Jurisprudence and Principles of Jurisprudence

Article Title [العربیة]

دراسة قرینیة آراء العامة فی فهم روایات فقه أهل البیت «علیهم السلام»

Abstract [العربیة]

تؤثر القرائن اللبیة دومًا فی تشکیل ظهور الکلمات؛ وعلیه، یمکن الاستفادة من سیاق الصدور والأجواء الاجتماعیة السائدة کقرینة مهمة للفهم الصحیح للروایات
یرى البعض، بالنظر إلى تأثیر ظروف صدور الروایات، أن الآراء الفقهیة لأهل السنة مؤثرة فی ظهور الروایات الإمامیة، وعلى هذا الأساس، اعتبروا الفقه الإمامی بمنزلة الهامش على فقه أهل السنة. وفی المقابل، نفى آخرون أی تأثیر لآراء المخالفین فی فهم الروایات.
یکشف هذا البحث، الذی استخدم منهجًا تحلیلیًا نقدیًا من خلال مراجعة المصادر واستعراض آراء الخبراء، أن کلا الموقفین لا یمکن الدفاع عنه بشکل مطلق، فالأدلة المتاحة، وکذلک السیرة العملیة للفقهاء على مدار تاریخ الفقه - الکاشفة عن ارتکازهم العقلائی - تُشیر إلى أن الرجوع إلى فقه أهل السنة، خارج فرض تعارض الروایات، ضروری فقط فی الحالات التی تکون فیها الروایة مبهمة أو مجملة، ومع احتمال أن یؤدی هذا الرجوع إلى رفع الإبهام؛ أما فی الحالات التی یکون للروایة ظهور مستقل ومتناسب، فلا حاجة لمثل هذا الرجوع. یستند هذا الرأی إلى أن احتمال وجود قرینة منفصلة لا یمنع اعتبار الظهور عند العقلاء.

Keywords [العربیة]

الفقه الإمامی
استقلال الفقه الإمامی
هامشیة الفقه الإمامی
فقه أهل السنة
فقه العامة

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