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A Sanad Evaluation of Exegetical Narrations Attributed to the Ahl al‑Bayt (as) Regarding Isaac as the Sacrificial Son Case Study: Shi‘i Narrative Exegeses
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Elham Zarin Kolāh   |
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Abstract: (9 Views) |
| Identifying the intended sacrificial son (al‑dhabīḥ) is one of the most debated issues among scholars of both Sunni and Shi‘i traditions. After the Qur’an and the Prophet (pbuh), the narrations of the Ahl al‑Bayt (as) have served as an important reference in this discussion. Among the relevant sources, Shi‘i narrative exegeses contain a significant number of such reports under the verses related to the story. Although the dominant view in Shi‘i scholarship identifies Ishmael as the sacrificial son, some narrations attributed to the Ahl al‑Bayt (as) in narrative tafsīr works also suggest that Isaac was the one intended. Using a library‑based research method and employing analytical examination of chains of transmission and textual data, this study evaluates the authenticity of narrations that identify Isaac as the sacrificial son. The findings indicate that the primary origin of most of these reports can be traced to al‑Kāfī and Tafsīr al‑Qummī, with both sources ultimately deriving them from ʿAlī b. Ibrāhīm. However, differences between al‑Kulaynī’s transmission from ʿAlī b. Ibrāhīm and the version found in Tafsīr al‑Qummī suggest that al‑Kulaynī relied on a source other than Tafsīr al‑Qummī when transmitting these narrations. At the same time, these narrations suffer from several methodological weaknesses: uncertainty regarding their original sources, the omission of certain transmitters’ names, the absence of reliable jarḥ wa taʿdīl evaluations for some narrators, and the removal of certain transmitters from the chains of transmission. Consequently, they are classified respectively as majhūl, muhmal, or mursal traditions and therefore cannot be considered reliable. Moreover, some of these reports appear to have emerged under political motivations or through the influence of Ahl al‑Kitāb traditions. |
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| Keywords: Sacrificial Son (al‑Dhabīḥ), Narrations, Narrative Exegeses, Isaac, Sanad Analysism, Origin of Transmission. |
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Full-Text [PDF 406 kb]
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/07/1 | Accepted: 2026/07/1 | Published: 2026/07/1
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