Al-Kashshaf

The book analyzes extensively al-Zamakhshari’s tafsir al Kashshaf within the framework of the Mu‘tazilites’ five principles: (usul al-khamsa) of their theology. Andrew Lane in his book entitled “A Traditional Mu‘tazilite Qur’an Commentary: The Kashshaf of Jar Allah al-Zamakhshari” states that al-Kashshaf is not a Mu‘tazilite tafsir of the Qur’an. This book has been written to prove that al-Zamakhshari’s tafsir is completely in accord with the Mu‘tazilites’ theology which is embodied in their five principles.

The book is divided into two parts. Part I comprises of al Zamakhshari’s biography, al-Kashshaf, and his methodology of tafsir. Part II covers comprehensive analysis of the five principles: unity of God; justice; the promise and the threat of divine reward and punishment; the intermediate position between belief and unbelief; and enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong.

The book concludes that al-Zamakhshari’s al-Kashshaf is a Mu‘tazilite tafsir completely adhering to the Mu‘tazilites’ theology.