Zahir al-Riwayah

Zahir al-Riwayah is a concept rooted in Islamic sciences that refers to the clear, apparent meaning of a text, typically the Quran or Hadith, without considering metaphorical or contextual interpretations. It emphasizes understanding the literal words as they are presented. This approach is often balanced with other interpretative methods to ensure a comprehensive grasp of the text’s message, but Zahir al-Riwayah specifically highlights the importance of the straightforward, surface-level meaning in theological and legal discussions.