The problem of majāz in the Qur'ān according to Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī

This dissertation investigates the linguistic phenomenon of metaphor (majāz) as an interpretative problem, in the case of Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī, and delves into its effects in understanding the Qur'ān. The first part broadly reconstructs the process of terminological development of metaphor, and touches upon the historical and intellectual background that al-Razi makes use of in constructing his own approach to metaphor. In this regard, he primarily benefits from the thought of linguists such as Ibn Jinnī and Abd al-Qāhir al-Jurjānī, and scholars of juristic methodology (usūl) such as Abū al-Husayn al-Basrī and Abū Hāmid al-Ghazzālī. In the second part, which deals with al-Rāzī's thought on metaphor, his views on problems such as the essence of metaphor and its divisions are analyzed. In short, it can be said that al-Rāzī, with his works on rhetoric (balāgha), methodology (usūl), and exegesis (tafsīr) has had an undeniable impact on the terminological development of metaphor. The third part discusses the presence of metaphor in the Qur'ān, its effects on meaning and understanding, and the religious controversies it has given rise to, and gives examples for the interpretation of metaphors from al-Rāzī's work on tafsir, Mafātīh al-Ghayb. This research shows that the presence of metaphor in the Qur'ān as a linguistic and interpretative element cannot be denied. However, since metaphoric language is open to abuse in interpreting the Qur'ān, principles that need to be considered while interpreting metaphors are elaborated upon. Accordingly, elements of metaphor such as naql, alāqa, and qarīna are considered and analyzed as separate principles. Moreover, the fact that the meaning of the metaphor is determined by the intention and worldview of the speaker, and that the literal meaning (haqīqa) has precedence in speech are also evaluated as principles. While a rhetorical perspective primarily focuses upon the richness of meaning that is conveyed by a metaphorical style, a legal and methodological perspective will have to deal with the ambiguity in meaning that is also conveyed. Therefore the effects of these two facets on the interpretation of verses is likewise examined. The meanings that metaphor adds to an expression, as well as places metaphor complicates understanding, are elaborated upon with examples from al-Rāzī's tafsīr. In addition, metaphor has given rise to controversy in the interpretation of certain verses related to creed and law. Hence, after giving some examples of controversial interpretations of metaphor, different interpretations of verses in the context of metaphor are studied from al-Rāzī's perspective.