A Critical Evaluation of the Verse on Qiṣāṣ Translation (al-Baqarah/178) Based on the Narrations of Ahl al-Bayt (AS)Ahl al-Bayt

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
1 Associate Professor of the Qur'an and Hadith Department, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Mazandaran. Babolsar. Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Qur'an and Hadith Department, School of Theology and Islamic Studies, Mazandaran University, Babolsar, Iran.
3 PhD in Qur'an and Hadith
4 Graduated with a PhD in Qur'an and Hadith from the Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies University of Mazandaran.
Abstract
Translation is a skill aimed at rendering speech and conveying the meaning of a text from the source language to the target language, in a way that preserves all the objectives of the original text. To achieve a meaning close to that of the source language, especially in sacred texts like the Quran, reliance on available contextual clues and other auxiliary resources is indispensable. The discrepancy among contemporary translators regarding the translation of verse 178 of Surah al-Baqarah (the verse on Qiṣāṣ – retribution) in the two phrases "Fa Ittibāʻun bil Maʻrūf" and "Fa man Iʻtadā baʻda Dhālik" is prominent, and the main reason for this difference stems from a lack of attention to the narrations of Ahl al-Bayt (AS). The present study, using a descriptive-analytical method, aims to evaluate the degree of conformity between contemporary translations of the verse on Qiṣāṣ and the statements of Ahl al-Bayt (AS). By examining interpretive narrations and relevant translations, it becomes clear that the phrase "Fa Ittibāʻun bil Maʻrūf," according to the narrations, refers to the Responsible (Walī) of the victim, and its meaning is the appropriate adherence of the Walī to his right of blood money, i.e., to be lenient and not harsh with the killer. Similarly, the second phrase also pertains to the Walī, and the meaning of "Baʻda Dhālik" (after that) is the transgression and greed of the Walī after forgiveness and reconciliation with the killer. Some translations, however, have interpreted this part with a general and broad meaning.

Keywords

Subjects


The Holy Qur'an, translations by Mousavi-Garmaroudi, Borujerdi, Faiz-ul-Islam, Meshkini, Ansarian, Elahi-Qamsha-ei, Mojtbavi, Mu'azi, Makarem-Shirazi, Payandeh, Kavianpour, Khajawi, Arfa, Foladvand, Aiti.
Ibn Athir, Mubarak, The End of Gharib Hadith and Athar, Qom: Ismailian Press Institute, 1367.
Ibn Babouyeh, Muhammad Ibn Ali, Man La Yahdrah al-Faqih, Qom: Islamic Publications Office, Ch2, 1413 AH.
Ibn Babouyeh, Muhammad Ibn Ali, Eyes of Akhbar al-Reza (peace be upon him), Tehran: Nash Jahan, Tehran, Ch1, 1378 AH.
Ibn Hayyun, Nu'man Ibn Muhammad, Foundations of Islam, Qom: Al-Bayt Foundation, Peace be upon them, Ch. 2, 1385 AH.
Babaei, Ali Akbar, Tafseari Schools, Qom: Hozwa and University Research Center, 2018.
Bahrani, Seyyed Hashem bin Suleiman, al-Barhan fi Tafsir al-Qur'an, Qom: Ba'ath Institute, Ch. 1, 1374.
Tafsir attributed to Imam Hasan Askari (peace be upon him), Qom: Imam al-Mahdi School, peace be upon him, 1409 AH.
Har Aamili, Muhammad, Wasal al-Shi'a, Qom: Al-Bayt Foundation, peace be upon them, Ch. 1, 1409 AH.
Hali, Hassan bin Ali bin Dawood, al-Rijal, Tehran: University of Tehran, Ch. 1, 1342.
Hali, Hasan bin Yusuf, Rizal, Najaf Ashraf: Dar al-Zhakhar, Ch2, 1411 AH.
Khoei, Abu al-Qasim, al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Qur'an, bi-ja: bi-na, bi-ta.
Sobhani, Ja'far, The Knowledge of Men, Translation: Muslim Qalipour, Qom: Quds Publications, Ch5, 1389.
Tousi, Muhammad, Tahdeeb al-Ahkam, Tehran: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyya, Ch. 4, 1407 AH.
Al-Rajal, Qom: Al-Nashar al-Islami Foundation, Ch.
List of books of the Shia and their origins and the names of the scholars and the owners of the origins, Qom: Al-Muhaqq Al-Tabataba'i School, Ch. 1, 1420 AH).
Misbah al-Mutahjad and Selah al-Mutabbad, Beirut: Shia Jurisprudence Institute, 1411 AH.
Ayashi, Muhammad Bin Masoud, Tafsir Al-Ayashi, Tehran: Al-Mattaba Al-Elamiya, Ch. 1, 1380.
Ghafari Safat, Ali Akbar, Derasat fi Alam al-Daraya, translated by Wali Allah Hasoumi, Qom: Usul al-Din Faculty, 1388.
Fayoumi, Ahmad bin Muhammad, al-Masbah al-Munir fi Gharib al-Sharh al-Kabir, Qom: Dar al-Hijrah Institute, Ch2, 1414 AH.
Keshi, Mohammad bin Omar, Rizal Al-Kashi, Mashhad: Mashhad University Publishing House, Ch1, 1409 AH.
Kalini, Muhammad bin Yaqoob, Al-Kafi, Tehran: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyya, Ch. 4, 1407 AH.
Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir, Bihar al-Anwar, Beirut: Dar Ihiya al-Tarath al-Arabi, ch. 2, 1403 AH.
Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir, Mara'i al -Aqul fi Description of Al -Rasoul, Tehran: Dar al -Kutb al -Islami, Ch 2, 1404 AH.
Najashi, Ahmed bin Ali, Rijal al-Najashi, Qom: Al-Nashar al-Islami Publishing House, Ch. 6, 1365.