Referential and epistemic value of İsrā'iliyyat in tafsir

This study contains some critical information about the notion and content of the term Isrâ'iliyyât and its referential and epistemic value, which is used by reference to the riwayah introduced into Islamic literatures, especially into Qur'anic interpretations, from some religions and cultures such as Judaism and Christianity. The first section of our study composed of the fifth sections pertains to the study theme, scope, method and main references. The second section is designated for he origion of the term Isrâ'iliyyât and its meaning and conceptualization process in addition to Isrâ'iliyyât perception in the early and modern periods. In the third section we examine some different approaches concerning transmission of Isrâ'iliyyât riwayah and the hadiths being basis of those riwayah and discuss that which one of those approaches is more appropriate. In the fourth section we analyse the possible sources of Isrâ'iliyyât and the relations of the first Muslim generations to Judaist and Christian cultures and we present, in the context, some information concerning existance of Jews and Christians in the Arabian Peninsula of the term Qur'an revealed. In the fifth section we discuss the problem of the referential and epistemic value of Isrâ'iliyyât. The conclusion is about the general evaluations and outcomes. Keywords: Isrâ'iliyyât, tafsir, information, referance, value.