When Every Word Matters: Al-Samarra’i’s Rhetorical Exegesis and the Architecture of Meaning

Abstract

This study examines the contribution of Fādil Al-Samarra’i to modern Qur’anic exegesis through his application of Manhaj Bayani, a rhetorical-linguistic method that highlights the Qur’an’s stylistic and semantic intricacies. Beginning with the theoretical framework developed by scholars such as Amin al-Khuli and Bint al-Shati’, Al-Samarra’i extends the approach by integrating philological analysis, rhetorical devices, and contextual sensitivity into his interpretive model. Methodologically, this research adopts a qualitative-textual analysis of Al-Samarra’i’s work Ala Tariq al-Tafsir al-Bayani, drawing on both primary and secondary sources. The analysis focuses on features such as contextual reading (siyāq), semantic differentiation (e.g., aʿṭā vs ātā), and structural cohesion through literary devices like repetition and parallelism. The findings reveal that Al-Samarra’i’s method effectively uncovers layered meanings and theological implications embedded in the Qur’anic language. While his approach excels in rhetorically rich texts, its applicability to more straightforward or legalistic verses may be limited. Nonetheless, his work significantly revitalizes classical tafsir by aligning it with the demands of contemporary discourse. The study affirms the continued importance of linguistic and rhetorical analysis as essential tools for understanding the Qur’an’s spiritual, moral, and communicative depth.