what the theologians, the philosophers, the Sufis and the people of tradition say about the exegesis of the Quran?
before the second century had proceeded very far, the Muslim society had broadly split in four groups: The
theologians, the philosophers, the Sufis and the people of tradition. There was an intellectual chaos in the ummah and the Muslims, generally speaking, had lost their bearing. The only thing to which all were committed was the word, “There is no god except Allãh, and Muhammad (s.a.w.a.)4 is the Messenger of Allãh”. They differed with each other in everything else. There was dispute on the meanings of the names and attributes
of Allãh, as well as about His actions; there was conflict about the reality of the heavens and the earth and what is in and on them; there were controversies about the decree of Allãh and the divine measure; opinions differed whether man is a helpless tool in divine hands, or is a free agent; there were wranglings about various aspects of reward and punishment; arguments were kicked like ball, from one side to the other concerning the realities of death, al-barzakh ( البَرزَخ = intervening period between death and the Day of Resurrection); resurrection,
paradise and hell. In short, not a single subject, having any relevance to religion, was left without a discord of one type or the other. And this divergence, not unexpectedly, showed itself in exegesis of the Qur’ãn. Every group wanted to support his views and opinions from the Qur’ãn; and the exegesis had to serve this purpose
