Methodology of Discovering Meaning Shadows of the Qur'anic Verses in Exegetical Texts: A Case study of Mafatihol Ghayb Exegesis

In the verses of the Qur'an, in addition to the expressions whose appearance transfers the meaning of the words, some others imply impressions beyond these words referred to as shadows of meaning – Dhilalolma'ni. There are also signs such as the substitution of some vocabularies, advancement and deferral, antonym words that direct the Qur'anic researchers to reflect on them and to explain these concepts; therefore, the Qur'an exegetes frequently use this exegetical method citing this type of expressions in interpreting the noble verses of the Qur'an. Using Fakhr Rāzi's exegetical approach and a descriptive-analytical research method in discovering the exegete's meaning shadows, some verses and expressions are analyzed and their related evidences and documentations are dichotomized. Among the research findings, it is proven that Fakhr Rāzi, based on the non-verbal signs such as lexical or syntactic substitution, and advancement and deferral, has stated the implied shadow meaning in some verses. Similarly, the substitution method is used more frequently in the method of discovering expressions shadows of meaning.