The book consists of Quranic sciences topics such as Miracle, Distortion (Tahrif) and also commentary of the opening verse (Al-Fatiha). The book is a compilation of the author’s lectures at the theology school of Najaf.
- Al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Qur’an, The Prolegomena to the Qur’an
- Translator’s Introduction
- Introduction
- Foreword
- Preface to the First Edition
- 1. The Inimitability of the Qur'an
- 2. Erroneous Impressions concerning the Miraculous Inimitability of the Qur’an
- 3. Concerning the Prophet's Other Miracles
- 4. Insight about the Readers of the Qur'an
- 5. An Examination of the Readings
- Statements by the Scholars Who Deny the Uninterrupted Transmission of the Readings
- The Evidence That Supports the Uninterrupted Transmission of the Readings
- Further Observations
- The Readings and the Seven harfs
- The Authoritativeness of the Readings
- The Permissibility of the Recitation [of the Readings] in Prayer
- 6. Was the Qur’an Revealed according to Seven Harfs?
- The Incoherence of the Traditions
- The Interpretations of the Seven Harfs
- The Approximation Interpretation
- The Seven Gates
- Another Meaning of the Seven Gates
- The Eloquent Dialects
- The Mudar Dialect
- The Differences in the Readings
- Variation in the Readings in Another Sense
- Single-Digit Plurality
- The Seven Readings
- The Different Dialects
- 7. The Protection of the Qur'an from Alteration
- The Meaning of Alteration
- The Opinion of Muslims Regarding al-Tahrif
- Abrogation and the Recital (tilawa)
- Alteration and the Book of God
- Alteration and the Sunna
- Permission to Recite the Chapters in the Salat (Ritual Prayers)
- Assertion about Alteration under the Caliphs
- The Errors of Those Who Maintain the Alteration View
- The First Error
- The Second Error
- The Third Error
- Examination of the Traditions on Tahrif
- The First Group of Traditions
- Actual Signification of the Traditions
- Second Group of Traditions
- Third Group of Traditions
- Fourth Group of Traditions
- The Fourth Error
- 8. The Collection of the Qur'an
- Traditions about the Collection of the Qur'an
- Inconsistency of the Traditions Regarding the Collection of the Qur'an
- The Contradiction among the Traditions in Their Account of the Collection of the Qur 'an
- The Contrariety of the Collection Traditions to the Book of God
- The Contrariety of the Collection Traditions to Rational Judgment
- The Contrariety of the Collection Traditions to the Consensus (Ijma') of the Community
- Collection Traditions and the Alteration (Tahrif) of the Qur'an through Addition
- Summary
- 9. Evidence Based on the Literal Sense of the Qur'an
- 10. Abrogation in the Qur’an
- Al-Naskh (Abrogation) in the Lexicons
- Al-Naskh in Its Technical Usage
- Possibility of Abrogation
- Abrogation in the Torah
- Abrogation in the Islamic Shari'a
- Abrogation of Both the Recitation and the Ruling
- Abrogation of the Ruling without the Recitation
- Discussion of the Verses that Are Claimed to Have Been Abrogated
- Stoning as a Penalty for Contracting a Mut'a
- Assertions Regarding the Mut'a
- The Rules Pertaining to the Disbelievers Who Are at War
- Other Views about This Verse [Q 47:4]
- Traditions that Relate the Practice based on the Colloquy Verse [58: 12]
- The Reason for the Abrogation of the "Colloquy" Charity
- The Wisdom of Legislating the Charitable Offering of the Colloquy
- Open Prejudice in Muslim Traditions
- Remarks on al-Razi's Views
- 11. Modification in the Creation
- 12. The Principles of the Exegesis
- 13. The Qur'an: Created or Eternal with God?
