“A Good Example”: on the Theological Interpretation of the Verse 21 of Surah Al-Ahzab in Classical Sunnite Tafsir Tradition

Abstract

The paper deals with the interpretation of the Qur’anic verse 21 of surah Al-Ahzab, which represents the key point of controversies between Qur’an-focused and hadith- focused theologians. Hadithocentric theologians constantly use this Qur’anic ayah, in order to justify Sunnah as the second source of the Muslim law and doctrine. The goal of paper is, first, to examine theological interpretations, presented in the main corpse of Sunnite tafsirs; second, to reconstruct as true as possible the understanding of these verses in the context of the classical Sunnite tradition. The opinions of early Islamic interpreters and Hanafite authors are considered in separate way.