The Neglected Verse: Potentialities of Al-Rāzi’s Reading of 4:128

Abstract

This study examines the interpretive potential of Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī’s exegesis of Qur’anic verse 4:128, which addresses marital discord arising from a husband’s nushūz (recalcitrance) or iʿrāḍ (estrangement). Challenging the tendency to regard classical Qur’anic exegesis as an exclusively patriarchal interpretive tradition, the article argues that its internal methodological resources can provide a sound basis for fresh readings responsive to contemporary concerns. Employing descriptive and analytical methodologies, the study investigates al-Rāzī’s treatment of the principal interpretive questions surrounding the verse, particularly the distinction between nushūz and iʿrāḍ, the implications of khawf (apprehension), and the nature of ṣulḥ (reconciliation). The analysis demonstrates that al-Rāzī conceptualizes these terms as distinct yet related expressions of marital discord, recognizes a woman’s capacity to respond to indications of impending estrangement, and presents reconciliation as a negotiated arrangement rather than an exclusively unilateral concession by the wife. Furthermore, his interpretation extends the ethical and interpretive implications of verse 4:128 to the husband’s response to a wife’s nushūz or iʿrāḍ, thereby establishing a significant connection with Qur’anic verse 4:34. His discussion also raises important questions concerning conjugal rights, mutual accommodation, and the role of mediators in resolving marital conflict. The study concludes that al-Rāzī’s exegetical method reveals underexplored possibilities within the classical tafsīr tradition.