The interpretation of the divine names and attributes in ishari exegesis: The case of Ibn Barrajân

Ibn Barrajân (d. 536/1141) is one of the prominent figures produced by the Andalusian civilization of the 12th century. Due to the political turmoil of his time, his legacy has neither reached us in its entirety nor was he recognized until later periods. Although he possessed mastery in both the rational and religious sciences, he did not compose works in every field. Rather, he directed his intellectual accumulation primarily toward Qur'anic exegesis and Sufism. Ibn Barraǧān authored a tafsīr and, more specifically, a treatise devoted to the Divine Names and Attributes. Various studies have been conducted on aspects such as his life, works, and Sufi inclinations. However, the present research aims to reveal Ibn Barrajân's thoughts and interpretations concerning the Divine Names and Attributes, particularly within the context of his tafsīr and his work entitled Sharḥ al-Asmāʾ. He categorized the Divine Names and Attributes under three main headings: ulūhiyya (Divinity), rubūbiyya (Lordship), and ʿubūdiyya (Servitude), linking them to the concept of tawḥīd. The interpretations that emerge under these categories also serve to demonstrate, in a comprehensive manner, Ibn Barrajân's exegetical method grounded in the Divine Names and Attributes. In this study, Ibn Barrajân's milieu is first examined from different perspectives, and the elements that shaped his scholarly personality are analyzed. Subsequently, the legitimacy and conditions of acceptance of Ishārī exegesis are discussed. Thereafter, certain issues related to the Divine Names and Attributes are addressed. Finally, within the framework of his works, Ibn Barrajân's reflections and interpretations concerning the Divine Names and Attributes are presented.