Manastırlı İsmâil Hakkı’s Fusūlu’t-teysîr fî usūli’t-tafsīr and the Influence of Dārulfunūn
This study examines the contributions of Manastırlı Ismāil Hakkı, a late Ottoman scholar, to the methodology of tafsīr and analyzes the impact of these contributions on contemporary academic approaches. The research also explores the lasting effects of Dārulfunūn, a central institution in the transformation of scientific thought during the late Ottoman period, on the science of tafsīr and the terminology of tafsīr methodology. As a professor at Dārulfunūn, Manastırlı Ismāil Hakkı not only shaped the academic tradition of his time but also significantly contributed to the systematisation of tafsīr methodology. His approach to the concept of asbāb al-nuzūl, his interpretations of the issue of repeated revelation (takrār al-nuzūl), and his views on the historical context of Qur’ānic narratives are among the key issues that must be considered in contemporary tafsīr research. In this context, this study analyzes Manastırlı’s methodological approach to asbāb al-nuzūl and highlights the significance of his perspective for modern tafsīr studies. Furthermore, his work Fusūlu’t teysîr has created a methodological transformation in tafsīr education, offering a clear and concise structure suitable for inclusion in academic curricula. This research aims to provide a comprehensive examination of Manastırlı’s understanding of tafsīr and his scholarly influence at Dārulfunūn, thereby shedding light on his contributions to the science of tafsīr during the transition from the Ottoman period to the Republic.
Manastırlı İsmâil Hakkı’nın Fusûlü’t-teysir fî usûli’t-tefsir’i ve Dârülfünûn Etkisi
Bu araştırma, Osmanlı’nın son dönem âlimlerinden Manastırlı İsmâil Hakkı’nın tefsir metodolojisine sağladığı katkıları ele almakta ve söz konusu katkıların çağdaş akademik yöntem üzerindeki etkilerini analiz etmektedir. Çalışmada, Osmanlı’nın son döneminde ilmî zihniyet dönüşümünün merkezi kurumlarından biri olan Dârülfünûn’un tefsir ilmi ve usûl terminolojisi üzerindeki kalıcı etkileri de incelenmektedir. Manastırlı İsmâil Hakkı, Dârülfünûn’da müderris olarak görev yaparak yalnızca dönemin akademik geleneğini şekillendirmekle kalmamış, aynı zamanda tefsir metodolojisinin sistematikleşmesine önemli katkılar sağlamıştır. Onun sebeb-i nüzûl kavramına yönelik yaklaşımı, mükerrer nüzûl meselesine dair yorumları ve Kur’ân kıssalarının tarihsel bağlamına ilişkin görüşleri, çağdaş tefsir araştırmalarında dikkate alınması gereken temel meseleler arasında yer almaktadır. Bu bağlamda, çalışma kapsamında Manastırlı’nın sebeb-i nüzûl kavramına ilişkin metodolojik yaklaşımı analiz edilerek, onun bakış açısının modern tefsir çalışmaları açısından taşıdığı önem ortaya konacaktır. Ayrıca, Manastırlı İsmâil Hakkı’nın Fusûlü’t-teysîr adlı eseri, tefsir eğitiminde metodolojik bir dönüşüm sağlamış olup, sade ve özlü anlatımıyla akademik müfredatta kullanılmaya uygun bir yapı sunmaktadır. Bu araştırma, Manastırlı’nın tefsir anlayışını ve Dârülfünûn’daki ilmî etkisini detaylı bir şekilde ele alarak, onun Osmanlı’dan Cumhuriyet’e geçiş sürecinde tefsir ilmine yaptığı katkıları ortaya koymayı amaçlamaktadır.
This study provides an in-depth analysis of the contributions of Manastırlı Ismāil Hakkı (1846-1912), a distinguished late Ottoman scholar, to the methodology of tafsīr (Qur’ānic exegesis) and assesses the enduring impact of his innovations on modern academic practices. The research emphasises the critical role of Dārulfunūn—widely recognised as the intellectual hub during a transformative period in the late Ottoman era—in redefining the science of tafsīr and shaping its methodological terminology. As a professor at Dārulfunūn, Manastırlı not only played a key role in establishing the academic traditions of his time but also advanced a systematic approach to tafsīr methodology. His work is particularly noted for its innovative treatment of asbāb al-nuzūl (the circumstances surrounding revelation), his insightful interpretations concerning repeated revelation, and his comprehensive analysis of the historical contexts of Qur’ānic narratives, all of which are essential considerations in contemporary tafsīr research. This study highlights the significance of classical tafsīr methodologies and modern academic approaches for contemporary research. In this context, the research examines how Manastırlı’s works have contributed to the methodological foundations of modern Qur’ānic studies. The study employs a qualitative research approach, analysing primary sources, including Manastırlı’s work and classical Ottoman tafsīr references. The findings indicate that Dārulfunūn marked an academic turning point in the science of tafsīr and that Manastırlı Ismāil Hakkı played a crucial role in this transformation.
Throughout history, the discipline of Qur’ānic exegesis (tafsīr) has not remained static; rather, it has evolved through numerous methodological shifts that mirror the diverse intellectual traditions and interpretive practices of different eras. These transformations have been driven by changing scholarly perspectives, the advancement of linguistic and historical analytical tools, and the shifting socio-political landscapes that influence how texts are read and understood. As a result, each era of tafsīr reflects its own unique blend of traditional insights and emerging academic frameworks.
Within this dynamic context, Manastırlı Ismāil Hakkı emerges as a pivotal figure whose work has significantly contributed to the systematisation of tafsīr methodology. A rigorous synthesis of linguistic precision with deep historical contextualization marks his scholarly endeavours. By meticulously analysing the language of the Qur’ān alongside the historical circumstances of its revelation, Manastırlı provided a structured approach that enriched the interpretive framework of the text. This dual focus not only enhanced clarity in exegesis but also laid the groundwork for a more methodical and reliable interpretation process.
A central element of Manastırlı’s approach is his detailed examination of the asbāb al nuzūl (occasions of revelation). He established clear, systematic criteria for determining the circumstances under which specific Qur’ānic verses were revealed, thereby helping to demystify the contextual factors that influence their meaning. By rejecting subjective reasoning and emphasising the reliability of historical narrations, his methodology offers a balanced perspective that remains influential in modern tafsir studies. In essence, Manastırlı’s contributions serve as a bridge between the rich traditions of classical exegesis and contemporary academic practices. His work not only standardises key principles of Qur’ānic interpretation but also continues to inform and inspire modern scholars, ensuring that the profound insights of traditional tafsīr are preserved and adapted to meet the challenges of today’s academic environment.
The primary aim of this study was to critically analyse the methodological principles established by Manastırlı and to highlight their significance for modern Tafsīr studies. Although current tafsīr research remains deeply rooted in classical exegetical traditions, it has also undergone significant shifts in both terminology and methodological practices. Manastırlı’s contributions, particularly his detailed analysis of asbāb al nuzūl, his exploration of the interrelationship between Qur’ānic narratives and their historical contexts, and his treatment of the issue of repeated revelation, serve as an essential reference point for understanding the evolution of tafsīr methodology. By examining Manastırlı’s works in depth, this study seeks to illuminate the continuity and transformation within Ottoman tafsīr methodologies and to demonstrate how these classical approaches have been adapted to meet the demands of modern academic inquiry. In doing so, it highlights the enduring relevance of Manastırlı’s systematic methods and provides a framework for evaluating the impact of traditional exegetical techniques on the evolution of contemporary Qur’ānic scholarship.
This research employs a qualitative methodology to investigate Manastırlı Ismāil Hakkı’s perspectives on tafsīr methodology through an extensive literature review. The study synthesises both classical and modern approaches to Qur’ānic exegesis by systematically analysing a broad range of primary and secondary sources. In doing so, it examines key aspects of Manastırlı’s methodological framework—particularly his rigorous approach to determining the asbāb al-nuzūl, his analysis of the interplay between general legal rulings and their specific causes, and his treatment of repeated revelation— in relation to contemporary academic trends in Qur’ānic studies. One notable feature of his methodology is the precision with which he identifies asbāb al-nuzūl, emphasising the necessity of relying on reliable narrations and eschewing subjective reasoning in establishing these contexts. This commitment not only underscores his dedication to preserving traditional tafsīr principles but also serves as a critical point of comparison for evaluating methodological differences between schools of thought—those that demand narrative coherence versus those that allow for the possibility of multiple revelations for a single verse.
When we examine the influence of Manastırlı’s work on modern scholarship, it becomes clear that his carefully developed, systematic criteria for tafsīr methodology have become indispensable for contemporary academic research. His contributions have played a pivotal role in standardising the principles of Qur’ānic exegesis, as he emphasised the importance of maintaining methodological consistency and conducting rigorous analyses of primary sources. Notably, his meticulous process of evaluating historical narrations has left a lasting mark on the evolution of academic Qur’ānic studies. In conclusion, Manastırlı’s contributions—especially within the influential environment of Dārulfunūn—demonstrate his role as a vital link between traditional exegesis and the evolving landscape of academic inquiry. Even as modern methodologies and terminologies continue to evolve, his systematic approach and precision in interpreting the Qur’ān remain highly relevant. His enduring scholarly legacy offers essential insights into how traditional interpretative methods can be preserved and effectively integrated to address the challenges of modern exegetical research.
