Biography Narrations in Tabari

Biography Narrations in Tabari
Medina Period

Tabari included biographical narrations in his commentary primarily to determine the reason for the revelation of verses and interpreted these narrations within a specific methodology. In evaluating biographical narrations, he utilized the verse's context, Quranic integrity, authentic hadith, consensus, historical and social reality, natural and rational facts, fundamental characteristics of Arabic, and the principles of apparent meaning, naskh, and umum (general meaning) to determine both the verse's meaning and the validity of the narrations. The primary reason that led Tabari to question the explicit meaning of the verses and the validity of the narrations was the existence of multiple narrations related to the verses, their contradictions, and the inability to reconcile them. It is aimed to contribute to the writing of Quran-centered biography by determining the verses related to the biography in his work and the interpretations of the commentators and himself on the verses.
In this biography study, prepared based on Tabari's commentary, the outlines, important events and results of the life and invitation of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to Medina have been presented, and as a result, an attempt has been made to identify biography narrations that will enable us to reveal the basic principles and foundations of the life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), rather than the who and how of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

 INSIDE PAGES