IMAM MATURIDI – A PIONEER OF TAFSIR BI'L-DIRAYAH

In this article, one of the issues related to the history of the science of exegesis (tafsir) was studied, an attempt was made to shed light on the place of Imam Maturidi in the first stages of the emergence of this science, and to correctly indicate the position of Imam Maturidi in the system of this science. When talking about tafsir bi al-dirayah known as «tafsir bi al-ra’i», Imam Razi is often cited as the most prominent figure of this type of tafsir. However, after Imam Maturidi’s tafsir became popular and its first complete edition was published in 2004, it became clear that Imam Maturidi was ahead of Razi in establishing and studying this type of tafsir. The article begins with the definition of «tafsir bi al-ra’i» and the area of disagreement between those who reject it and those who allow it, then Imam Maturidi’s position on intellectual interpretation is explained. Then the most important rules of Imam Maturidi in interpreting with ra’i (opinion) will be reviewed and the most important norms that can be seen by reading his tafsir will be explained. Then the study ends with a description of the sources of ra’i under Imam Maturidi.