The Rights and Social Role of Women in Sūrat al-Nisāʾ
-In the Context of “Hak Dini Kur’an Dili” and “Hayat Kaynağı
Kur’an Tafsirs-
In the tradition of Qurʾānic exegesis (tafsir), exegetes have not confined
themselves solely to the literal meanings of Qurʾānic expressions;
they have also taken into consideration the intellectual, social, and
cultural conditions of their respective periods. Sūrat al-Nisāʾ is one of
the Qurʾānic chapters that addresses a wide range of issues concerning
women, including human dignity, family status, marriage, divorce,
dower (mahr), inheritance, privacy, and religious responsibilities. Although
various studies have examined women’s rights in the Qurʾān,
no comprehensive research has been identified that comparatively
investigates how the verses related to women’s rights in Sūrat al-Nisāʾ
have been interpreted by exegetes of the Republican era in Türkiye.
This dissertation addresses this underexplored area by conducting a
comparative analysis of the interpretations of the verses concerning
women’s rights in Sūrat al-Nisāʾ as presented in Hak Dini Kur’an Dili by
Elmalılı Muhammed Hamdi Yazır and Hayat Kaynağı Kur’an Tefsiri by
M. Sait Şimşek. The central research question of the study is: “What are
the similarities and differences between Elmalılı Muhammed Hamdi
Yazır’s and Mehmet Sait Şimşek’s interpretations of the verses concerning
women’s rights in Sūrat al-Nisāʾ?” The study employs qualitative
research methods, particularly document analysis and comparative
textual analysis, to examine the exegetical approaches of the two commentators.
The findings indicate that both exegetes adopt a common
framework grounded in the fundamental Qur’anic principles regarding
women’s rights and dignity. Nevertheless, significant methodological
differences emerge in their interpretations. Elmalılı’s exegesis is characterized
by a stronger reliance on the classical tafsir tradition, detailed
juridical discussions, and legal reasoning. In contrast, Şimşek places
greater emphasis on historical context, contemporary social realities,
and interpretive approaches aimed at addressing modern concerns.
These findings demonstrate that tafsir is not merely a text-centered activity
but also a dynamic intellectual endeavor shaped by the historical
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context, social conditions, and scholarly priorities of the exegete. The
dissertation further reveals that both commentators interpret the rulings
of Sūrat al-Nisāʾ within a framework that seeks to protect women’s
dignity, rights, and social status, while differing in the methodological
tools they employ. By highlighting both continuity and change within
modern Turkish Qurʾānic exegesis, this study aims to contribute to the
broader scholarship on women’s rights Qurʾānic interpretation, and
contemporary tafsir studies.
Keywords: Tafsir; Women’s Rights; Sūrat al-Nisāʾ; Turkish Tafsir Literature
in the Republican Era