The Rules of Tafseer of Quran

1
Assignment Number 2
The
Rules
Of Tafseer
Name: Areeba Javaid

Reg Number: 11903
Section: I
Program: BBA (hons)
2
The Tafseer of the Quran
 Introduction:
The word tafseer means to explain and is a commentary to the Quran, written by a
mufassir. Sometimes the word ta’weel is also used to mean an explanation of the Qur’an.
Early commentators, such as Tabari, used the terms tafsir and ta’weel interchangeably.
With the passage of time and the development of schools of thought, the two terms came
to mark two different branches of the science (ilm) of Qur’an.
The difference between tafseer and ta'weel came to mean that tafseer means uncovering
or unveiling and illuminates the various meanings of a verse and includes the background
of the occasion or reason for the revelation of the verse, its place in the sura to which it
belongs and its story or historical reference.
Ta'weel on the other hand came to mean the final end of a matter, the final purpose,
meaning or end of a thing.[i]Tafseer was needed because the Qur’an said about itself:
“[3.7] He it is Who has revealed the Book to you; some of its verses are decisive, they are
the basis of the Book, and others are allegorical; then as for those in whose hearts there is
perversity they follow the part of it which is allegorical, seeking to mislead and seeking
to give it (their own) interpretation. but none knows its interpretation except Allah, and
those who are firmly rooted in knowledge say: We believe in it, it is all from our Lord;
and none do mind except those having understanding.”
Development of Tafseer over the ages:

1. Early Development: tafsir in the time of Muhammad
2. Tafsir in the time of the Khulafa Rashidoon
3. Tafsir in the time of the Tabi'un
4. Tafsir in the time of Taba' Tabi'un
3
 Sources of Tafseer of Quran:

a.Tafseer bil Quran: This is regarded as the highest form of tafseer, as
the first and most important source for the interpretation of the Quran is the
Quran itself. Thus whenever a verse, phrase or word of the Quran needed to
be explained, another phrase or word from the Quran was used and no other
source was required.This was believed because:
- The Quran is the word of Allah
- The Quran is authoritative when it explains itself.
- The Quran is free of contradiction, and that apparent inconsistencies in its
message are inevitably resolved through closer study of the Quranic text.
Furthermore “And certainly We have explained in this Quran every kind of
example, and man is most of all given to contention. [18.54]”
Ibn Taymiyah was quoted to say: “If you ask what the best method of tafseer
is, the answer is that the best way is to explain the Quran through the Quran.
For, what the Quran alludes to at one place is explained at another, and what it
says in brief on one occasion is elaborated upon at another. But if this does not
help you, you should turn to the sunna, because the sunna explains and
elucidates the Quran.
Example:

A case in point is the detailed explanation of 5:2 by 5:4, concerning
permissible and prohibited meat. Another example of explanation of one aya
in the Quran by other concerns a question which might arise from Sura 44: 3.
It is explained in Sura 97: 1:

We sent it down during a blessed night (44: 3).
Which night is this blessed night, in which the Quran was sent down?

We have indeed revealed this in the lailatil-qadr (97: 1).
A third example is the explanation of Sura 2:37 by Sura 7:23
4
b.Tafseer Bil Hadees: As the Prophet was sent, among other reasons, to
explain and clarify the Qur'an to people, as per “[16.44] With clear arguments and
scriptures; and We have revealed to you the Reminder that you may make clear to
men what has been revealed to them, and that haply they may reflect”, his
teachings recorded in the hadith collections thus contain some commentaries on
the Qur'an.
Example:
There are numerous examples of explanation of the Quran by the Prophet, who
either himself asked the Angel Gabriel for explanation of matters not clear to him,
or who was asked by the Companions about the Quran. Suyuti has given a long
list of explanations of the Quran by the Prophet sura by sura.[8]
Here one example may suffice:
And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct
from its black thread. . . (2: 187).
Narrated 'Adi b. Hatim: I said: 'O Allah's Apostle! What is the meaning of the
white thread distinct from the black thread? Are these two threads?' He said: 'You
are not intelligent, if you watch the two threads'. He then added, 'No, it is the
darkness of the night and the whiteness of the day'.[9]
c. Aqwal and Amal –e-Sahaba:
Tafsir by Sahaba: The companions also interpreted and taught the Quran,
especially after the Prophet’s death. If Quranic clarification was absent, and
there was no Hadith, then a consensus (ijma) of the companions was used to
interpret a certain verse.
Tafsir by Tabi'un: There are many more persons from among the tabi'un
known for their preoccupation with tafsir, because many more people had
embraced Islam and the need for knowledge about the Quran had increased
manifold. Also, the Prophet himself and many of his Companions were no
longer available to give this guidance, and therefore greater efforts had to be
made to satisfy this need for proper understanding of the book of Allah.

Of the mufassirun from among the tabi'un one distinguishes three groups,
according to their origin and area of activity:
 Those from Makka.

 Those from Madina.
 Those from Iraq.
5
 Basic Conditions:

Muslim scholars have laid down certain basic conditions for sound tafsir. Any tafsir,
which disregards these principles must be viewed with great caution, if not rejected
altogether. The most important among these conditions are the following:

The mufassir must:
 Be sound in belief ('aqida).

 Well-grounded in the knowledge of Arabic and its rules as a language.
 Well-grounded in other sciences that are connected with the study of the Qur'an
(e.g. 'ilm al-riwaya).
 Have the ability for precise comprehension.
 Abstain from the use of mere opinion.
 Begin the tafsir of the Qur'an with the Qur'an.
 Seek guidance from the words and explanations of the Prophet.
 Refer to the reports from the sahaba.
 Consider the reports from the tabi'un.
 Consult the opinions of other eminent scholars.
Reference:
http://bannos.blogspot.com/2006/11/tafseer-of-quran.html
http://www.stevenmasood.org/articles/Tafsir.html
http://www.quranicstudies.com/articles/tafsir-exegesis/tafsir-its-kinds-and-
principles.html

The Rules of Tafseer of Quran

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Rules of Tafseer of Quran

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Rules of Tafseer of Quran

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

1

Name: Areeba Javaid

The Tafseer of the Quran

Development of Tafseer over the ages:

 Sources of Tafseer of Quran:

c. Aqwal and Amal –e-Sahaba:

 Those from Makka.

 Be sound in belief ('aqida).

You might also like