The College of Islamic Sciences at the University of Karbala held the defense of a master’s thesis submitted by the student Noha Abdul Karim Mohammed, entitled:
“Social Theory and Its Impact on the Interpretation of the Qur’anic Text – Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Qur’an by Sayyid Muhammad Husayn al-Tabataba’i as a Model.”

The thesis aims to examine the influence of social theory on Qur’anic interpretation, based on the premise that the Holy Qur’an is not limited to being a guide for individual conduct, but rather represents a comprehensive social reform project that addresses human and societal issues in their various dimensions.

The study discussed the concept of social theory from both linguistic and technical perspectives, clarified its foundations and objectives, and highlighted the presence of the social dimension in Qur’anic exegesis. It also shed light on the methodological features of social interpretation in the works of Sayyid al-Tabataba’i, particularly his reliance on interpreting the Qur’an by the Qur’an, linking verses to their social and historical contexts, and analyzing social phenomena as part of the divine laws governing societies.

Furthermore, the thesis examined practical applications of social theory in Al-Mizan, through analyzing a number of Qur’anic issues, including social justice, the family, social solidarity, collective responsibility, social reform, and the relationship between the individual and society. The study demonstrated the role of the social approach in expanding the meaning of the Qur’anic text and connecting it to contemporary human reality.

The thesis concluded that Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Qur’an represents a pioneering model in contemporary social exegesis, as Sayyid al-Tabataba’i presented a balanced Qur’anic reading that integrates doctrinal, educational, and social dimensions, affirming the enduring capacity of the Holy Qur’an to address societal problems and build a righteous individual within a divine value-based framework.