Methods of Interpretation of The

Qur'ān
Definition of Tafsēr
Literal meaning:
To open
To reveal
Technical meaning
The knowledge which helps understanding the Book of
Allah which is revealed upon Muhammad salla Allahu
‘alaihi wasallam, and explanation of its meaning, and
extraction of its laws and orders.
Knowledge and sanctity of Tafsēr
Revealed by Allah
Explained by Jibrīl (‘alaihissalam)
Need of Tafsēr for us
We lack the knowledge of Arabic language
We do no have the knowledge of time of revelation
We need to gain the Knowledge of what comes first
and what comes after
Knowledge of abrogated and abrogating
Methods of Interpretation
Interpretation of the Qur’an through the Qur’an
Through Hadith
Through the explanation by companions of
Muhammad salla allahu ‘alaihi wasallam
Through Isra’iliyat (that comes from Jews and
Christians)
Statements of the followers
On the bases of personal opinion
Interpretation of the Qur’an Through the
Qur’an
The Best way of interpretation
Examples:
‫ ِ ي‬D‫ن َز ْلنَ ُاه‬D‫نَّا َأ‬D‫ِإ‬
(44:3) ‫لَ ٍة ُّمبَا َر َك ٍة‬D‫ َ ل ْي‬DDD‫ف‬
 (97:1) ِ‫ِإنَّا َأن َز ْلنَ ُاه ِ في َ ل ْيلَ ِة ْال َقدْر‬

ِ ‫ۚ إِنَّهُ هُ َو التَّ َّوابُ الر‬ ‫اب َعلَ ْي ِه‬

‫َّحي ُم‬ َ َ‫ت فَت‬ ٍ ‫فَتَلَقَّ ٰى آ َد ُم ِمن َّربِّ ِه َك ِل َما‬
 Then Adam received from his Lord [some] words, and He
accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of
repentance, the Merciful.(2:37)
َ ُ‫قَااَل َربَّنَا ظَلَ ْمنَا أَنف‬
 )7:23( ‫سنَا َوإِن لَّ ْم تَ ْغفِرْ لَنَا َوتَرْ َح ْمنَا لَنَ ُكونَ َّن ِم َن‬
‫ين‬ ِ ‫ْال َخ‬
َ ‫اس ِر‬
The Qur’an Explained By the Prophet
Suyuti has given a long list of explanations of the
Qur’an by the Prophet sura by sura.
Example
ْ َ ‫َو ُكلُوا َوا ْش َربُوا َحتَّ ٰى يَتَبَي ََّن لَ ُك ُم ْال َخ ْيطُ اأْل َ ْبيَضُ ِم َن ْال َخي ِْط اأْل‬
‫س َو ِد ِم َن‬
)2:187(‫ْالفَجْ ِر‬
 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 see the
two threads’ He then added ‘No, it is the darkness of the night and
the whiteness of the day’”
Tafasēr By Sahaba
Abu Bakr
Umar
Uthman
Ibn Mas’ud
Ibn ‘Abbas
Ubay b Ka’b
Zaid b. Thabit
Abu Musaal Ash’ari
Abdullah b. Zubair
The most knowledgeable people of the Qur’an and
sunnah

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud is reported to have said: when any

one of us had learned ten verses, he would not go beyond
them until he knew what they meant and how to put them
into practice.

Prayer for ‘Abdulla ibn ‘Abbas: O God, give him

understanding in religion and teach him the interpretation
of the Qur’an.
Explanation Through Isra’iliyat
Accounts from people of the book are transmitted on
companion’s authority
Muhammad’s (S.A.W) saying
Convey on my authority even a single verse and narrate
about the Bani ‘israel (Jews and Christians) without
constraint. But whoever tells lies against me intentionally
let him take his seat in the fire.” (al-Bukhari)
Purpose of Mentioning Isra’iliyat
Purpose of its attestation not as a basis of belief

Three kinds of the accounts

Similar (authentic)
Contradictory
Not mentioned in the Qur’an, hence we can not say any thing
about these accounts

Way of reporting the matters of disagreement

All of the views should be mentioned
Valid and invalid opinion should be informed about
Reasons
Opinion of Tabi’ēn
Mujahid: I spread out the mushaf (text of the Qur’an) before Ibn-e-
‘Abbas three times, from its opening sura to its concluding one. At
each and every verse I stopped him and asked him about it.
Qatada said: there is no verse in the Qur’an about which I have not
heard something (significant)
 If I had read ibn Mas’ood’s version of the mushaf I would not
have needed to ask Ibn ‘Abbas about any of the Qur’anic matters
on which I sought information.
Ibn Abi Mulayka said: I saw Mujahid with his slates in hand asking
about the interpretation of the Qur’an. (whenever he posed a
question) Ibn ‘Abbas said to him, ‘write’. This went on until
Mujahid had asked ibn ‘Abbas about the interpretation of the whole
text.
Difference of words in narrations
Sirāt-al-
Mustaqeem

Disagreement of tabi’ēn with the sayings of

companions is unacceptable.
Interpretation of the Qur’an on the bases of
personal opinion
Solely personal opinion
Ibn ‘Abbas said: Allah’s messenger said, whoever speaks
about the Qur’an without knowledge will assuredly take
his seat in the fire.
Abu Bakr (R.A) once exclaimed
 What earth would support me and what heaven would overshadow
me were I to say about the book of God what I knew not
Muhammad Ibn Sirin
 I asked Abid Assalmani about interpretation of a verse, he replied:
those who know why the Qur’an was sent down (i.e. the
circumstances of revelation) have died, so fear God and follow the
right course
 You should expound it
to people and not
suppress it. (3: 187)
Who knows of the
sound opinion
should say it and
not hide it. Whoever is asked
about something he
knows but suppresses
it, will be bridled on
the Day of resurrection
with a bridle of fire