ISLAMIYAAT GRADE 10

TAFSEER

Wahi And Its True Nature

The Need For Wahi

For man to discharge his duty in this world he must do 2 things

1. Use the things of the world.

2. Fulfil the injunctions of Allah .

In fulfilling the above 2 conditions, man must have knowledge.

Man acquires knowledge via 3 avenues

1. 5 senses
2. Reason
3. Divine revelation

The laws of Allah cannot be understood through the senses and reason only.
Guidance by means of reason is limited. Therefore the need for revelation to
attain complete guidance.

Modes Of Descent

1. In the form of chiming bells.

2. Via Jibraeel in his original form.
3. Via Jibreel in the form of Human (Dihyaa Kalbi)
4. Direct conversation with Allah .

Chronology Of The Revelation Of The Quran.

Revelation of the Quran from the preserved tablet (Lawhul Mahfooz) twice.

1. Lawhul Mahfooz to Baitul Izzah (Exalted house in the skies of the earth)
2. Baithul Izzah to the heart of Rasoolullah over a period of 23 years.

Makki And Madani Aayaat

Makki Aayah: revealed before Hijrah.

Madani Aayah: revealed after Hijrah.

N.B. An Aayah revealed after Hijrah will still be regarded as Madani even if it
was revealed in Makkah.
The Gradual Revelation Of The Quran Majeed

There are 4 reasons for the gradual revelation of the Quran.

1. Rasoolullah was Ummiy (unlettered). Therefore if the entire Quran was

revealed to him at once it would have been difficult for him to document.

2. Compliance of all the injunctions of the Quran would become necessary to

follow immediately which would be difficult for the followers.

3. Jibraeels visits with the word of Allah serves as a consolation and gave
strength to Rasoolullah in times of difficulties.

4. A large portion of the Quran was devoted to answering questions and in

reference to events. Therefore the verses were revealed appropriately

The Method Of Tafseer.

Rasoolullah said: “ He who speaks of the Quran of his own opinion, or of

what he knows not, should find the hellfire.”

The Aspects Of Tafseer

Abdullah ibn Abbas said: There are 4 aspects of tafseer.

1. An aspect known by Arabs because of their familiarity with the language.

2. An aspect NO Muslim should ignore. (Halaal and Haraam)
3. An aspect of Tafseer known to the Ulema deduced from the Quran and
Hadeeth. Tafseer should not contradict the apparent meaning of the
Quran.
4. An aspect only known to Allah known as ‘Mutashabihaat’. Any human
claiming knowledge of this is a liar.

Sabab Al Nuzool
The Aayaat Of The Quraan Are Of 2 Types.
1. Aayaat that were revealed by Allah on His own. Not related to
questions or events.
2. Aayaat that were revealed as an answer to a question or reference to
an event. The background to these aayaat (i.e. the actual question or
event) is termed sabab ul Nuzool.
 The Birth Of The Science Of Tafseer

The sahaabah used to ask Rasoolullah questions regarding the

interpretations of the laws of the Quran. Rasoolullah used to explain
these matters to them. Thus Sahaabah came to know

a) The Asbabun Nuzool (Causes for revelation)

b) Naasikh (abrogator) and Mansookh (abrogated)

All things Rasoolullah said in explanation or gave silent approval to was

recorded by Sahaabah.

The Sahaabah then passed this information on to the Tabieen. When the
great Companions of Rasoolullah started to leave this world the need
arose for the knowledgeable Tabieen to develop the science of tafseer and
collate the information gathered from the Sahaabah

Scholars Of Tafseer From The Sahaabah

1. Abdullah bin Abbaas

2. Abdullah bin Masud
3. Ubayy bin Ka’b
4. Zayd bin Thabit
5. Abu Musa Al Ashar i
6. Abdullah bin Zubayr

Abdullah bin Abbas was known as the father of Tafseer.

Some Famous Commentaries Of The Quran

Tafseer ibn Jareer
Tafseer ibn Katheer
Ruhul Ma aani
Ma’aariful Quran