Abul-Qasim al-Hussein bin Mufaddal bin Muhammad | |
---|---|
Personal | |
Died | AH 502 (1108/1109)[2] |
Religion | Islam |
Era | Later Abbasid era |
Denomination | Sunni |
Creed | Ash'ari[1] |
Main interest(s) | Muslim scholar of Qur'anic exegesis, Arabic language scholar |
Notable work(s) | Al-Mufradat fi Gharib al-Quran |
Muslim leader | |
Influenced by |
Abul-Qasim al-Hussein bin Mufaddal bin Muhammad, better known as Raghib [Raaghib] Isfahani (Persian: ابوالقاسم حسین ابن محمّد الراغب الاصفهانی), was an eleventh-century Muslim scholar of Qur'anic exegesis and the Arabic language.[2][3]
Al-Raghib Al-Isfahani - was born in Isfahan as his name suggests, though his exact date of birth is not known.[4]
He died in the Hijri year 502, corresponding to 1108 on the Gregorian calendar.[4][5][6]
Al-Isfahani's theological stance seems to have been close to that of the Ash'ari school. In one of his works entitled al-I'tiqadat, Al-Isfahani attacks both the Mu'tazila and the Shi'a showing that questions about his adherence to either of these positions is groundless.[1]
Al-Isfahani was opposed to the emanationism of the Brethren of Purity, preferring creationism instead.[7] The concept of justice, according to al-Isfahani's definition, is "equal retaliation" for wrongdoing.[8]
His work covered topics ranging from ethics to linguistics to Muslim philosophy.[9] He authored a commentary on the Quran, Mufradāt alfāẓ al-Qurʾān.[10] One of his most famous works was Al-Mufradat fi Gharib al-Quran.
As a man of letters, al-Isfahani was also well-versed in Arabic literature. His literary anthology, which was carefully organized by topic, carried much weight and respect in intellectual circles.[11][12] He was also noted as an early Muslim writer on the topic of blending religious and philosophical ethics.[13]