A Comparative Study of the Views of Shiite and Sunni Exegetes on How the Purpose of Creation is Actualized in Verse 56 of al-Ḍariyat

Abstract

The issue of the purpose of creation in verse 56 of the chapter of al- Ḍariyat is one of the issues regarding which numerous interpretations have been made. The present research, through the collection of library data, a descriptive-analytic and comparative processing method of Shiite and Sunni exegesis, considers the root of this difference in understanding lies upon the difference in the schools and exegetic approaches of the exegetes. This is a finding based on which, one can assess the views of the exegetes in three groups: the first, considers only the believers among the jinn and men to be the addressees of the verse and as such, they do not see any problem with the verse. The second group, considering the central purpose of the letter lām in the word liyaʿbudūn, does not subject the verse to any kind of belief-related discussion whereas the third group, by considering the address of the verse to be general and the problem of the purpose of creation not being realized regarding those who rebel against the Thiqlayn (the two weighty objects, i.e., the Quran and the Ahlulbayt of the Holy Prophet) seeks to solve the semantic complication that has arisen regarding divine actions. Among them, some have sought to eliminate this problem through credible efforts while another group has freed itself from the proposed theoretical problem through a contemporary approach and considering the doctrine of worship as being redemptive and by regarding worship as desirable and its important role in the strengthening of faith, they have considered the salvation of the addressees in the two worlds (this and the next) to be God’s intent from this revelatory proposition.

Keywords

• creation
• purpose
• worship
• quran
• comparative exegesis