The method of Musannifek's glosses: A case study on his marginal commentary on Kashshāf

This thesis aims to critically edit (tahqīq) and analyze the exegetical methodology of Musannifek, one of the Ottoman scholars, based on the portion of his marginal commentary (ḥāshiyah) on al-Zamakhsharī's renowned Qur'anic commentary Kashshāf, which pertains to Sūrat al-Fātiḥah and the first six verses of Sūrat al-Baqarah. Musannifek's ḥāshiyah is not limited to linguistic explanations; rather, it reveals a multilayered exegetical approach that encompasses theological, philosophical, rhetorical, and hadith-related dimensions. In the first chapter, the thesis presents Musannifek's biography, scholarly identity, and major works. This is followed by an overview of al-Zamakhsharī's life, his contributions, and the prominent place of al-Kashshāf in the classical tafsir tradition. The second chapter outlines the general exegetical method of Musannifek as seen in his gloss on al-Kashshāf, with a detailed analysis of his commentary on Sūrat al-Fātiḥa. This analysis addresses his grammatical interpretations, use of Qur'anic verses and prophetic traditions, and his theological and logical inferences in a systematic manner. The chapter also includes a critical edition of the gloss on Sūrat alFātiḥa, contributing to its scholarly publication and accessibility. The main source of this study is a handwritten (manuscript) version of the gloss preserved in the collections of the Süleymaniye Library. The work has not yet been published in printed form, which adds to the originality and academic value of this critical edition and methodological investigation.