Tafseer of The Quran

Tafseer (Interpretation of the Quran)
Tafseer means 'explanation' or 'interpretation'. In technical

language the word tafseer is used for explanation, interpretation
and commentary on the Qur'an, comprising all ways of obtaining
knowledge, which contributes to the proper understanding of it,
explains its meanings and clarifies its legal implications. The
explanation of the Qur'an is certainly an extremely important issue
and a great responsibility. It is not permissible for anyone to
undertake it except for one who has devoted himself to its study
and is fully qualified. Allah's Messenger said, “Whoever
speaks about the Qur'an with his opinion and about that which
he does not know, then let him take his seat in the Hell-fire; and he
has erred, even if what he said happened to be correct.” That is
because the Qur'an is the Speech of Allah, and the one who makes
tafsir of it is explaining its meanings on behalf of Allah. Therefore, a
Mufassir (commentator of the Quran) must be a highly qualified
scholar and his credentials must be recognized by other scholars.
He must be an extremely pious Muslim and should have absolute
command over all 23 sciences required for a Mufassir. Some of
them are Arabic Language, Lexicology, Grammar, principles of
Tafsir, Asbab e Nuzool- Nasikh and Mansukh, Makki and Madani
revelations, Muhkam and Mutashabih verses, principles of Hadith,
Hadith and principles of Fiqah etc.
Sources of Tafeer
1. The Glorious Qur'an: The first source of tafsir is the Holy

Qur'an itself. It happens very often that a certain point
which is brief and requires explanation is clarified by
some other verse of the Qur'an itself. For instance, the
verse of Surah al-Fatihah states, 'Guide us in the straight
path - the path of those on whom You have bestowed Your
Favours...' Now it is not clear here as to who are those
whom Allah Almighty has blessed. But, in another verse, they
have been identified very clearly where it is said: "So, these
are the people whom Allah Almighty has blessed, being the
prophets, their true followers, the martyrs (in the way of
Allah) and the righteous. (4:69)
2. 2. Hadiths: Therefore, when respected commentators explain
some verse, they first check to see if a tafsir of this verse is
already there elsewhere in the noble
Qur'an itself. If it is
there, they elect to go by it as their first choice. The
words and the deeds of the Holy Prophet called
Hadith, and Allah Almighty had sent him with the
Qur'an solely for the purpose that he should explain to
people, openly and clearly, the correct meanings of the noble
Qur'an. In fact, his whole blessed life is, after all, a practical
tafsir of Qur'an. Hadiths explain how to put the Quranic
injunctions into action such as prayer, rate of Zakat, method
of Hajj, method of Fasting etc. Hadith explains the meanings
of different Quranic verses as the Quran says regarding the
Sahri timings in Ramadhan: ‘And cat and drink until the
white thread becomes distinct to you from the black
thread of dawn.' The Prophet (Peace be upon him)
interpreted the verse by saying that the white thread refers to
day and the black thread refers to the night.
3. The Reports from the Sahabah: The noble Sahabah (RA)
(Companions), may Allah be pleased with them all, had received
their education directly from the Holy Prophet. In addition to that,
they were personally present on the scene when revelation
came, and they had themselves witnessed all circumstances and
backgrounds of the revelation of the Qur'an. Therefore, naturally,
the recorded statements of these blessed souls are far more
authentic and trustworthy in explaining the noble Qur'an; the
later people cannot take that place. Hence, in the case of verses
the explanation of which is not found in the Qur'an or Hadith,
statements recorded from the noble Companions (RA) are given
the highest priority.)
4. The Reports from the Tabi'in or Successors: After

Companions (RA) (Sahabah) come the Successors (Tabi'in). The
later are those who have learnt the tafsir of Qur'an from the
Companions (RA). Therefore, their statements too have great
importance in the science of tafsir, although there exists a
difference among scholars whether or not the statements of the
tabi'in are decisive in tafsir (al-ltqan) but their importance is
something which cannot be denied.
Nasikh and Mansukh:
The Arabic words 'Nasikh' and 'Mansukh' are both derived from the same
root words ‘Nasikha' which means to abolish to replace, to with draw and
abrogate, the word Nasikh means “the abrogating, while the Mansukh
means the abrogated. At the terms of a Quranic verse allowed a
certain act but later disallowed it. The Knowledege of Nasikh and
Mansukh help the Mufassireen to explain the Quran.
"The Holy Quran Says, "None of our revelations do we abrogated

or cause it to be forgotten. But we substitute something better or
Similar know you that had has power over all things" (2:106)
When the message of Islam was delivered to the Arabs as

something new and different from their way of life it was
introduced in stages. We recite both Nasikh and Mansukh e.g, wine
it was allowed to take after (Salaat) but not the
before the (Salaat) prayers. Another Ayat came and disallowed it

after prayers as well before, both Ayat are in the Quran. Another
example is the inclusion of parents and relatives in one's will which
was later cancelled when details of in heritance were laid down in Surah
Nisa.

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Tafseer (Interpretation of the Quran)

Tafseer means 'explanation' or 'interpretation'. In technical

1. The Glorious Qur'an: The first source of tafsir is the Holy

4. The Reports from the Tabi'in or Successors: After

"The Holy Quran Says, "None of our revelations do we abrogated

When the message of Islam was delivered to the Arabs as

before the (Salaat) prayers. Another Ayat came and disallowed it

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