A new reflection on the semantics and nature of "T’awil" (Justification) of the Holy Quran

One of the controversial topics in the field of exegesis and Quranic sciences is the meaning of "T’awil" and its nature. In this article, we aim to present a clear and convincing definition of T’awil that does not have the problems of other theories and answers the ambiguities raised in this issue. For this purpose, we have first examined the lexical meaning of the word "T’awil" and by reflecting on the different meanings reported for this word in dictionaries, we have proved that it does not have more than one real meaning, which is sometimes used as an adjective and in this form it is: "the truth and interiority of something and its meaning and purpose, from which the thing originates and in some way is a sign of it”, and sometimes it is used as an infinitive, which in this case means: "returning an object to its truth and interiority". This single meaning is comprehensive of all other meanings of "T’awil" and this word is used in all the cases of usage either in the same comprehensive meaning or, because of the existence of similarities, in requirements, results or examples of it. Then, by examining the usages of "T’awil" in the Holy Qur'an, we have proved that this word is also used in all its usages in the Divine Book in the same comprehensive sense and it does not imply any meaning beyond this, and we have provided evidences from the verses for this claim. Then, we examined the different views about the nature of T’awil of the Holy Quran and finally, inspired by the verses of the Holy Quran, the traditions of Ahl al-Bayt (AS) and some philosophical arguments, we have made a brief reference the nature of T’awil and the truth of the Holy Quran. Based on this, the method used in this writing is a combination of semantics and philosophical method.