Criterion of Reason in Maturidi’s Choices Considering Interpretation of Koran

Al-Matur？d？ who combined the revelation (an-nakl) with the reason (al-‘akl) in his exegesis of Koran contributed to systematization of kalam of Ahlu’s-Sunnah. In his exegesis, using in balance the revelation and the reason, he accomplished to build a more moderate system of thought between that of Mu’tazila that is regarded as symbol of rational approach to Koran and that of the scholars of first generations (as-Salaf) who adhere strictly to the revelation. This accomplishment of him breathed new life into koranic exegesis of Ahlu’s-Sunnah. In Te’v？latü’l-Kur'an making interpretation of verses of Koran on the basis of reason as explaining his own opinions, al-Matur？d？ used reason as criterion as choosing the most correct among the interpretations, as well. Because, according to him, interpretation is an al-ictihad and reasoning. This can be seen in his distinction between the concept of exegesis and the concept of interpretation and in his thought that the revelation endorses what is put forward by reason. Moreover, according to him Koran is a light (an-noor) and enlightens reasons. Enlighting reason like a light, which makes things visible, it uncovers the veracity of all things, the doubts in hearts and secrets. In this paper I will discuss thoughts of Matur？d？, who contributed to the systematization and the establishment of the method of reason (ad-dirayah) in koranic exegesis, about interpretation of Koran and place of the reason that is an important criterion, in these thoughts with in the frame of his Te’v？latü’l-Kur'an. I will try to present the opinions, which are conveyed by him, or what result he came to after examining possible different meanings of verses of Koran and to what extent these results are accurate. I will also discuss that Matur？d？ uses reason as decisive criterion in his thoughts on koranic interpretation, and in order to contribute to make this well understood I will give information about other criterions which he uses in his exegesis as choosing among the possibilities; thereafter, the reason, the main topic of this paper, will be discussed thoroughly as the most efficient criterion. Because of elucidative contribution of the examples which used by him, of being criterion of reason, I will categorize these examples as follows: “Integrity of Koran”, “Paradigm of Kalam”, and “Absolute Rational Explanations”. Under every category, three examples are included and Matur？d？’s choices pertain to these examples, in company with Koranic exegesises, particularly exegesises of the early period, will be analized and then I will put