The Importance and Objectives of Approximative (Taqrībī) Exegesis

The Noble Quran is the book of guidance and the central axis of unity for the Islamic Ummah. Sectarian differences in the Islamic world, particularly in the domain of Quranic exegesis, have given rise to exclusivist discourses and inter-sectarian confrontations. Many traditional exegeses, instead of focusing on shared principles, have emphasized doctrinal differences. This has not only made the general understanding of the Quran more difficult but has also laid the groundwork for social and political tensions. In such circumstances, there is a felt need for an exegetical approach that, with a unity-oriented and rapprochement-focused perspective, can harness the Quran's potential to foster empathy, mutual understanding, and cohesion. Thus, despite the numerous commonalities among Islamic sects, exegetical disagreements throughout history have caused doctrinal and social rifts. In this context, approximative or rapprochement-centered exegesis (tafsīr taqrībī) has emerged as a strategy to reduce differences and strengthen religious mutual understanding. The present article, by examining the importance and objectives of approximative exegesis, demonstrates that this approach plays an effective role not only in the scholarly and theoretical spheres but also in social, political, and other domains. A precise analysis of these dimensions will pave the way for a deeper understanding of the Quran's unity-creating capacities. Furthermore, investigating the explicit or implicit objectives of this type of exegesis can lead to a better grasp of the theoretical and strategic motivations of its proponents. This exegesis, adopting a unity-centered approach in Quranic studies, seeks to create the grounds for religious and sectarian mutual understanding by focusing on
the shared doctrinal and exegetical elements among Islamic sects. Consequently, it has significant effects not only at the academic level but also in social, cultural, and political arenas. Moreover, this approach can play an effective role in realizing the unified Islamic Ummah, advancing inter-sectarian dialogue, and reducing sectarian prejudices. The objectives of exegetes who incline toward this approach reflect their diverse scholarly, social, and religious concerns, as well as their effort to present a comprehensive exegesis with a rational and impartial outlook. Therefore, the present writing has been prepared and 
compiled with the aim of recognizing the importance of approximative exegesis, its objectives, and gaining a better understanding of it in order to achieve unity, advance and expand the goals of religion in Islamic societies, and ultimately realize the unified Islamic Ummah. Approximative exegesis is an approach that, by focusing on shared doctrinal, jurisprudential, and ethical elements, seeks to present the Quran as the point of connection among Muslims and prevent the emergence of intellectual and social rifts. Unlike exclusivist and prejudiced exegeses, this method relies on shared beliefs and ideas to reduce religious tensions and strengthen the spirit of Islamic unity. Accordingly, the main question of this writing is: What importance and necessity does approximative exegesis hold in the religious and scholarly community of Muslims, and what objectives does it indeed serve in various scholarly, theoretical, social, cultural, and political domains? To what extent can it contribute to realizing unity-oriented goals?




46                                                                       Studies of Qur̓anic Sciences, Vol. 7, No. 4, 2025




This research has been conducted using a documentary method and a descriptive-analytical approach, aiming to reveal the role of approximative exegesis in achieving the unified Islamic Ummah by examining its importance and objectives.
Based on the findings of this study:

Quranic exegesis with a unity-oriented and rapprochement-focused approach is not only a theoretical necessity but also a religious and social responsibility in the present era. Approximative exegesis, as a unity-centered approach in Quranic studies, possesses extensive capacities for strengthening religious mutual understanding and social cohesion.
The objectives of this type of exegesis encompass theoretical motivations as well as strategic goals. The exegetes' aims stem from social concerns, theological imperatives, and the need for convergence within the Islamic Ummah, reflecting a civilizational and empathetic approach to understanding the Quran. By focusing on shared principles and avoiding sectarian prejudices, this approach can play an effective role in rebuilding the unity of the Islamic Ummah, elevating the general understanding of the Quran, and countering extremist discourses. Supporting this type of exegesis is an effective step toward realizing the unified Ummah and strengthening the cultural and spiritual cohesion of Muslims. Unity-oriented and rapprochement-focused exegesis is not merely a scholarly method for understanding the Quran but also a cultural and social strategy for reinforcing the cohesion of the Islamic Ummah.
Exegetes such as al-Ṭūsī, al-Ṭabarsī, Mughniyah, Rashid Rida, and Fadlallah have shown through their works that it is possible to reach a shared and empathetic understanding of the Quran while preserving scholarly principles. This approach stands against extremism, divisiveness, and religious exclusivism, offering a path to reconstructing a shared Islamic identity in the contemporary world. Ultimately, it can be said that approximative exegesis does not only respond to the theoretical and religious needs of its time but also constitutes an important step toward mutual understanding and rational, faithful coexistence with the Quranic text. This is because approximative exegesis opens a window onto the realization of the meaning of unity, constructive inter-sectarian interaction, and the revival of shared revelatory capacities in a pluralistic religious environment.