📚 Commentaries on the Qurʾān: Unveiling Islamic Exegetical Traditions

Definition and Etymology of Tafsir

Tafsir (تفسير) is the Arabic term for the exegesis or commentary on the Qurʾān. Etymologically, the word derives from the root f-s-r (ف س ر), which means to explain, to disclose, or to elucidate. The primary purpose of Tafsir is to understand and interpret the verses of the Qurʾān, offering clarifications, context, and explanations for various aspects of the text.

Background: Early Tafsir Tradition

In the earliest ages of Islam, Qurʾānic exposition was transmitted orally through the traditional sayings of the Prophet Muhammad’s companions (Sahabah) and their successors (Tabi’in). These interpretations were sought to provide clarity on obscure passages and to resolve contradictions between apparent interpretations. Over time, these oral traditions began to be compiled in more systematic ways.

According to the Kashfu’ z̤-Z̤unūn, Qutaibah ibn Aḥmad, who passed away in A.H. 316 (929 CE), was one of the first to compile a comprehensive commentary on the Qurʾān. Unfortunately, this early work has not survived to the present day.

Prominent Scholars and Their Commentaries

Sunni Tradition

1. Al-Bag͟hawī (A.H. 515)
2. Az-Zamak͟hsharī (A.H. 604) — notable for linguistic and rational analysis
3. At-Tafsīru ʾl-Kabīr, Fakhr al-Din al-Razi (A.H. 606)
4. Ibnu ʾl-ʿArabi (A.H. 628)
5. Al-Baiẓāwī (A.H. 685)
6. Al-Mudārik, An-Nasafi (A.H. 701)
7. Ḥusain (A.H. 900)
8. Al-Jalālān (A.H. 864 and A.H. 911)
9. Al-Mazharī (A.H. 1225)
10. ʿAzīzī (A.H. 1239)

Shia Tradition

1. Shaik͟h Ṣadūq (A.H. 381)
2. At-Tafsīru ʾl-Kabīr, Saiyid Muḥammad ar-Rāzī (A.H. 606)
3. Aṣ-Ṣāfī (A.H. 668)
4. As-Sirru ʾl-Wajīz (A.H. 715)
5. Sidratu ʾl-Muntahā, Mīr Bakir (A.H. 1041)
6. Al-Burhān, Saiyid Hasham (A.H. 1160)

Cultural Similarities and Differences

While both Sunni and Shia traditions aim to elucidate the meanings of the Qurʾān, there are notable differences in focus and interpretation:

• Shared Aspects: Both traditions rely on the eloquence of language, the context of revelation, and the sayings of the Prophet (axiomatic), but may differ in authority and preferred sources.

• Distinct Aspects: Shia exegeses often include interpretations that align with their specific theological perspectives, emphasizing the role and authoritative interpretations of the Imams.

Synonyms, Antonyms, and Related Terms

Synonyms:

• Qurʾānic Interpretation
• Qurʾānic Commentary

Antonyms:

• Misinterpretation
• Mistranslation

Related Terms:

• Hadith (حديث): Narrations and traditions related to the Prophet Muhammad.
• Ijaz (إعجاز): The inimitability of the Qurʾān.
• Ijtihād (اجتهاد): Independent reasoning used in legal matters, often utilized in Tafsir.

Exciting Facts

• It’s estimated by Dr. M. Arnold (“Islam and Christianity”) that there may be as many as 20,000 Islamic commentaries on Qurʾān housed in the Library at Tripolis.
• The earliest comprehensive exegesis of the Qurʾān systems is attributed to Qutaibah ibn Aḥmad, who compiled his work around the 10th century.

Quotations from Notable Writers

“The noblest of the sciences is the science of Qurʾānic exegesis (Tafsir), for it is derived from the Book of God itself.” - Ibn Taymiyyah

Further Reading and References

• “Islamic Theology” by B. Metcalf
• “Tafsir and Islamic Intellectual History” by Richard C. Martin and Scott C. Lucas
• “The Qurʾān and Its Exegesis” by Helmut Gätje
• “Approaches to the Qurʾān” edited by G.S. Reynolds

Quizzes

May your quest for knowledge be as boundless as the universe, and may each discovery illuminate your path to understanding and wisdom.

🎓 Dr. Hassan Al-Hakeem | 2023-10-04