Asbāb al-Nuzūl (occasions of revelation) refers to the events, questions, and circumstances that occurred during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and led to the revelation of a verse, a group of verses, or an entire chapter of the Holy Qur’an that was in some way connected to those events or inquiries. In other words, Asbāb al-Nuzūl constitutes the specific historical contexts and circumstances surrounding the revelation of Qur’anic verses.
A comparative examination of the views of Ayatollah Jawadi Amoli and al-Maraghi reveals that both exegetes, while recognizing the distinction between the occasion of revelation (sha’n al-nuzūl) and the broader context of revelation, analyzed narrations related to Asbāb al-Nuzūl with considerable care and caution. Ayatollah Jawadi Amoli emphasizes the authenticity of the chains of transmission and regards only sound narrations as authoritative. In contrast, al-Maraghi cites such narrations whenever they are consistent with the content and meaning of the verse.
This article investigates both the convergences and divergences between the perspectives of these two commentators and evaluates the role of Asbāb al-Nuzūl traditions in clarifying meaning, extending the application of rulings, and critically assessing exegetical reports. The study demonstrates that both approaches are grounded in rational and methodological principles in their engagement with exegetical sources.