The Influence of Al-Zamakhshari's Opinions on Imam Al-Hubati's Choices in Pausing and Starting: An Applied Study on Surah Al-Naba, An-Nazi'at, and Abasa

Abstract

This research highlights the intrinsic correlation between the science of Waqf and Ibtida (rules of pausing and starting in Quranic recitation) and Quranic exegesis (Tafsir). It is premised on the fact that correct pausing is a direct reflection of a profound understanding of semantic, grammatical, and rhetorical structures. The study aims to analyze the grammatical and semantic influence of Imam Al-Zamakhshari's (d. 538 AH) directives in his exegesis, Al-Kashshaf, on the Waqf choices of Imam Muhammad bin Juma Al-Habti (d. 930 AH), whose methodology is widely adopted in the Islamic Maghreb, applied specifically to Surahs An-Naba, An-Naziat, and Abasa. The researcher employed an inductive approach to track Al-Habti's pause positions, an analytical approach to deduce Al-Zamakhshari's implicit linguistic views, and a comparative approach to evaluate these choices against the classifications of classical Waqf scholars (such as Ibn Al-Anbari, Al-Nahhas, Al-Dani, and Al-Sajawandi). The study concludes that there is a profound alignment between Al-Habti's pauses and Al-Zamakhshari's syntactical parsing. Many of Al-Habti's choices perfectly mirror Al-Zamakhshari's linguistic frameworks, particularly regarding syntactic resumption (الاستئناف), the estimation of omitted linguistic elements, and rhetorical scene transitions (e.g., shifting from descriptions of worldly blessings to the horrors of the Hereafter). Furthermore, the research validates that Al-Habti's selections—even his unique ones—are firmly rooted in solid grammatical and semantic foundations, typically falling within accepted Waqf categories (Complete, Sufficient, Good, and Absolute). This underscores the deep exegetical dimension inherent in Al-Habti's methodology.