The Exegesis of the Verses of Legal Rulings in Surah Al-Baqarah according to the Scholar Al-Mawardi, as Presented in His Book Al-Nukat wa-l-ʿUyūn (Verses 222–228 as a Case Study): A Compilation and Analytical Study

Abstract

This research investigates Al Mawardi’s exegetical methodology in Al Nukat wa l ʿUyūn, focusing on selected legal verses from Surah Al Baqarah and comparing his interpretations with those found in major works of legal exegesis across different jurisprudential schools, such as those of Al Jassas, Al Tahawi, Ibn al Arabi, Al Qurtubi, and others. Structured into an introduction and three sections, the study first introduces Al Mawardi and his scholarly contributions, then examines his commentary on verses concerning women’s seclusion during menstruation, and finally analyzes his methodological approach. The findings reveal that Al Mawardi primarily confined himself to presenting points of disagreement among the schools, while occasionally citing the views of Companions and Successors, but rarely referencing Hanbali rulings. His method was characterized by brevity, conciseness, and a deliberate avoidance of polemics or extensive elaboration, focusing instead on compiling opinions without weighing their merits. Distinctive features of his work include his judicious selection of material and precise organizational structure, arranging opinions in a logical progression from the specific to the general, thereby facilitating readers’ understanding of scholarly disagreements and underscoring the meticulousness of his legal analysis.