Representation of the Definition of Miracle from the Perspective of Allāmah Ṭabāṭabāʾī in the Book "Iʿjāz az Naẓar-i ʿAql va Qurʾān": A Critical Study Based on Thematic Content Analysis Approach

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. student of Qur’anic Sciences and Hadith, Department of Qur’anic Sciences and Hadith, Faculty of Theology and Ahl-al-Bayt (Prophet's Descendants) Studies, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

2 Professor, Department of Qur’anic Sciences and Hadith, Faculty of Theology and Ahl-al-Bayt (Prophet's Descendants) Studies, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of Qur’anic Sciences and Hadith, Faculty of Theology and Ahl-al-Bayt (Prophet's Descendants) Studies, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

Abstract

This research conducts a systematic reconstruction and critical analysis of Allameh Tabatabai's definition of a miracle, based on his primary work, I'jaz az Nazar-i 'Aql va Qur'an. A review of the existing literature reveals that most studies have relied on secondary sources and lack a coherent analytical framework for representing the internal logic of Allameh's thought, thus necessitating a direct examination of this foundational text. The central problem is to evaluate the comprehensiveness and exclusiveness of this definition, focusing on the two core components of "khariq-i 'adat" (breaking of natural custom) and "tahaddi" (challenge), which is investigated through thematic content analysis. The findings indicate that Allameh Tabatabai explains the "breaking of natural custom" not in opposition to the principle of causality, but within the framework of divine will as the absolute cause that supersedes material causes. However, this explanation lacks empirical criteria to distinguish a miracle from unknown natural phenomena. The component of "tahaddi" is presented as a necessary condition and a distinguishing feature, yet this stipulation compromises the definition's comprehensiveness by excluding some miracles from its scope. Moreover, the absence of objective criteria for judgment renders it an unfalsifiable, faith-based proposition. Overall, although 'Allamah Tabataba’i’s approach possesses internal consistency from a theological perspective, the proposed definition lacks the necessary methodological inclusiveness and exclusiveness. Ultimately, the study suggests that to overcome this challenge, the conception of tahaddi (challenge) must be conceptually expanded and elevated from a mere linguistic contest to an ‘epistemological contrast between the Creator’s infinite knowledge and the creature’s finite capability.

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