Reasons For a Scientific Portrayal of nature in Medieval Commentaries on the Qurʾān.

My earlier research has shown that Niżām al-Dīn al-Nīsābūns (d. c. 1329 C. E.) portrayal of nature in his tafsīr was faithful to science and falsafa. In this paper, through more comparisons with Fahr al-Dīn al-Rāzī's (d. 1209 C. E.) tafsīr, we will find that additional scientific information enhances the reader's understanding of certain āyāt. I will investigate two specific cases in which Nīsābūrī proposed a physical explanation for how the motions of the heavens could be an intermediary for God's control over terrestrial events. Finally, I will investigate the place of Nīsābūrī's portrayals of nature in his religious thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]