ABSTRACT
Ayn al-Qudat Hamadani was a mystic, philosopher, theologian, and judge who was born in the western Iranian city of Hamadan. This chapter outlines the main features of Ayn al-Qudat's profound Qur’anic vision. One topic that Ayn al-Qudat constantly addresses in his writings is that of the correct understanding of the Qur’an. He is rather unapologetic about the criteria that he takes for granted. Ayn al-Qudat gives us a window into his perspective on outward or exoteric forms of Qur’anic exegesis. He is concerned with driving home to his disciple the point that dedication to an outward understanding of the Qur’an is a sign of ignorance, and ultimately indicates a failure to understand the intent of religion and revealed scripture. It is perhaps safe to say that Ayn al-Qudat’s theory of the detached letters has no clear textual precedent.
