The anthropomorphic language of certain divine attributes in the Qur’an has consistently raised interpretive and theological challenges—particularly due to concerns about attributing morally reprehensible acts to God or falling into anthropomorphism. This study focuses on analyzing the Qur’anic concepts of kayd (divine scheming) and istidrāj (gradual entrapment), and examines the possibility of attributing these actions to God. Adopting a critical-analytical approach, the study evaluates the exegetical views of fifteen prominent commentators from across Islamic sects. The research begins with a lexical and contextual analysis of both terms, followed by a classification of the exegetical perspectives into seven interpretive models. These models are then assessed based on five semantic, theological, and exegetical criteria.
The findings suggest that attributing kayd and istidrāj to God is defensible on two complementary grounds: first, these terms do not intrinsically denote moral evil in their linguistic origins; and second, even when they carry seemingly negative connotations, they represent real, responsive, and just divine acts within the Qur’anic framework of punishment and guidance. Consequently, the views that interpret these attributes as actual, wise, and purposeful divine strategies are more consistent with Qur’anic language, the principles of divine unity, and rational theology. In contrast, approaches based on figurative reinterpretation, rhetorical resemblance (mushākalah), metaphor, or deterministic theology lack conceptual and theological coherence.
Roohi Barandagh, K. and بذرافشان مقدم, ف. (2025). A Critical-Analytical Study of Sunni and Shia Exegetes’ Views on Divine Kayd and Istidrāj from a Theological-Exegetical Perspective. Quranic Doctrines, (), -. doi: 10.30513/qd.2025.7215.2597
MLA
Roohi Barandagh, K. , and بذرافشان مقدم, ف. . "A Critical-Analytical Study of Sunni and Shia Exegetes’ Views on Divine Kayd and Istidrāj from a Theological-Exegetical Perspective", Quranic Doctrines, , , 2025, -. doi: 10.30513/qd.2025.7215.2597
HARVARD
Roohi Barandagh, K., بذرافشان مقدم, ف. (2025). 'A Critical-Analytical Study of Sunni and Shia Exegetes’ Views on Divine Kayd and Istidrāj from a Theological-Exegetical Perspective', Quranic Doctrines, (), pp. -. doi: 10.30513/qd.2025.7215.2597
CHICAGO
K. Roohi Barandagh and ف. بذرافشان مقدم, "A Critical-Analytical Study of Sunni and Shia Exegetes’ Views on Divine Kayd and Istidrāj from a Theological-Exegetical Perspective," Quranic Doctrines, (2025): -, doi: 10.30513/qd.2025.7215.2597
VANCOUVER
Roohi Barandagh, K., بذرافشان مقدم, ف. A Critical-Analytical Study of Sunni and Shia Exegetes’ Views on Divine Kayd and Istidrāj from a Theological-Exegetical Perspective. Quranic Doctrines, 2025; (): -. doi: 10.30513/qd.2025.7215.2597
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