THE OWNERS OF THE TRENCHES

Abstract

Mufassir use different methodology in their approach to understand and interpret verses of the Qur’an. Sometimes they use concretization (tahsis) and sometimes they use generalization (ta’mim). Both of these approaches are being used in interpreting the fourth and the main verse of the Chapter “Al-Burug”, the verse which lends itself to various methods. So, some Tafseer experts are looking to identify “the owners of the trenches” using historical facts, while others reject every use of concretization and linking the content of the verses to any particular time or place. They, instead, link it to each and every tyrant who can’t accept other and different religions and people. Both approaches are certainly interesting, and they enrich us with their results.