Towards Understanding The

QuranIntroduction Of Tafsir

Need and Methodology of Tafsir

Scholars are required to elaborate upon the meanings of Allah SWT’s Speech and to convey the meanings

Seek the meanings from proper resourcesScholars are required to learn and convey the meanings,

just as Allah SWT said,

(And remember) when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) to make it known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it, but they threw it away behind their backs, and purchased with it some miserable gain. And indeed worst is that which they bought. (Al-Imran 3:187)

Need and Methodology of Tafsir

And Allah SWT says

Verily, those who purchase a small gain at the cost of Allah’s covenant and their oaths, they shall have no portion in the Hereafter (Paradise). Neither will Allah speak to them not look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them, and they shall have a painful torment. (Al-Imran 3:77)

Need and Methodology of Tafsir

• For ignoring Allah SWT’s Book that was revealed to them

• For acquiring and indulging in the affairs of this life, all the while being distracted from adhering to Allah SWT’s Book.

Allah SWT criticized the People of the scriptures –

Jews and Christians – who came before us • Refrain from doing what Allah

SWT criticized the People of the Scriptures for

• Heed what Allah SWT commanded us

• Learn and comprehend the Book of Allah

• Convey all that is in the Book of Allah

We Muslims are thus

required to

Need and Methodology of Tafsir

Allah SWT said

Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allah and what has come down of the truth? And let them not be like those who were given the Scripture before, and a long period passed over them, so their hearts hardened; and many of them are defiantly disobedient.Know that Allah gives life to the earth after its lifelessness. We have made clear to you the signs; perhaps you will understand. (Al-Hadid 57:16-17)

Sources for Tafsir

Sources for Tafsir

Quran Sunnah

Statements of

Companions

Tafsir of Tabi’n

Sources of Tafsir - Quran

Best method is to explain the Quran with the Quran itself.

What is mentioned in general terms in one place in the Quran, is usually explained in another place.

When one does not find this easily, he should look to the Sunnah.

Sources of Tafsir - Sunnah

Purpose of Sunnah is to explain the Quran and elaborate upon its meanings. Allah SWT said,

Surely, We have sent down to you (O Muhammad ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص)the Book (this Quran) in truth that you might judge between men by that which Allah has shown you, so be not a pleader for the treacherous. (An-Nisa 4:105)

Sources of Tafsir - Sunnah

Allah SWT said,

And We have also sent down unto you (O Muhammad ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص)the Dhikr [reminder and advice (i.e; Quran)], that you may explain clearly to men what is sent down to them, and that they may give thought. (An-Nahl 16:44)

This is why the Messenger of Allah ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص said

�ه� م�ع�ه� �ل آن� و�مث �وتيت� الق�ر� �ي ا أال إن“I was given the Quran and its equal with it”, in reference to the Sunnah. (Ahmad 4:131)

Sunnah was a revelation from Allah SWT just as the Quran, althought it is not recited as the Quran is recited.

Sources of Tafsir – Statements of Companions

If Tafsir not found in Quran or Sunnah, then refer to the statements of the Companions

Companions were the most knowledgeable of Tafsir, for they witnessed the situations and incidents when Quran was revealed.

Imam Abu Jafar bin Jarir At-Tabari narrated that Abdullah bin Masud said – “By He other than Whom there is no God, no Ayah in the Book of Allah was revealed but I have knowledge about whom and where it was revealed. Verily, if I know of a person who has more knowledge than me in the Book of Allah that the animals can reach (by travelling on them), I will travel to meet him.”

Sources of Tafsir – Statements of Companions

Abdullah bin Abbas, the cousin of Messenger of Allah ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص , was a great scholar and explainer of the Quran.

The Prophet ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص invoked Allah for the benefit of Ibn Abbas

�اويل� �م�ه� الت �ه'م� فق#ه� في الد#ين و� ع�ل اللO Allah! Teach him Fiqh in the religion and interpretation

Sources of Tafsir – Tafsir of Tabi’n

Tab’in are second generation of Islam.

If Tafsir not found in Quran, the Sunnah, or with the Companions, then refer to the Tafsir of Tabi’n.

Sources of Tafsir – Tafsir of Tabi’n

• Mujahid bin Jabr – He reviewed the Mushaf with Ibn Abbas thrice from beginning to end asking him about each and every Ayat in it.

• Said bin Jubayr• Ikrimah – the freed servant of Ibn

Abbas• Ata bin Abi Rabah• Al-Hasan Al-Basri• Masruq bin Al-Ajda• Sa’id bin Al-Musayyib• Abu Al-’Aliyah• Ar-Rabi’ bin Anas• Qatadah• Ad-Dahhak bin Muzahim

Illustrious Tabi’n whose Tafsir

scholars refer to

ب# �+ه ر� ل �ح�م�د�ل �ن ال �اا دع�و�ان +خر� و�ا�ع�ال+ى �+ه� ت .و�ص�ل�ى الل �ن� �مي �ع�ال ال

ه +ل �قه م�ح�م�د3و�ع�ل+ى ا ل �رخ� ي ع�ل+ى خ��ن +مي �ن� ا �ج�م�عي ه ا اب �ص�ح� و�ا

� �ا �ه� من �ل� الل �ق�ب ت�م� و منك