Tafsir is the explanation of the Quran's meaning. Scholars broadly divide it into tafsir by transmission (tafsir bil-ma'thur), which explains the Quran through the Quran, the Sunnah and the words of the Companions, and tafsir by sound reasoning (tafsir bil-ra'y), which uses scholarly understanding grounded in Arabic and established principles. Many works also focus on law, language or themes.
Key Takeaways
- Tafsir means explaining the Quran's meaning, and the Prophet was sent to "make clear to the people what was sent down to them" (An-Nahl 16:44).
- Tafsir by transmission explains the Quran through other verses, the Sunnah, and the statements of the Companions and their students.
- Tafsir by reasoning is accepted when it rests on sound knowledge of Arabic and established principles, and rejected when it is personal opinion without knowledge.
- Other approaches focus on legal rulings, language and grammar, or themes running through the whole Quran.
- Tafsir is best studied with a qualified teacher, starting from reliable, well-established works.
What Is Tafsir?
The word tafsir comes from a root meaning to uncover or make clear. It covers the meaning of words and verses, their context, the rulings they contain, and how they relate to the rest of the Quran. Allah describes the Prophet's own role in this: "And We revealed to you the message [i.e., the Qur'an] that you may make clear to the people what was sent down to them and that they might give thought" (An-Nahl, 16:44, Sahih International).
1. Tafsir by Transmission (Tafsir bil-Ma'thur)
- The Quran explaining the Quran. One verse clarifies another.
- The Sunnah explaining the Quran. The Prophet's words and actions explain verses.
- The Companions' explanations, since they witnessed revelation and knew its context and language.
- The explanations of their students, the next generation of scholars.
A clear example combines the first two. When the verse "They who believe and do not mix their belief with injustice, those will have security" (Al-An'am, 6:82, Sahih International) was revealed, the Companions were worried, asking which of them had never done wrong. The Prophet explained that the verse did not mean this, pointing them to Luqman's words to his son that associating others with Allah is a great wrong (Sahih al-Bukhari 4776).
2. Tafsir by Sound Reasoning (Tafsir bil-Ra'y)
This is explanation through a scholar's understanding, but it is only accepted when built on solid foundations: mastery of Arabic, knowledge of the transmitted tafsir, and established principles of interpretation. Scholars distinguish this praiseworthy reasoning from interpretation driven by personal opinion without knowledge, which is rejected.
Other Approaches to Tafsir
| Approach | Focus |
|---|---|
| Legal (ahkam) | The rulings contained in verses, such as prayer, fasting and family law |
| Linguistic | Grammar, vocabulary and the eloquence of the Arabic |
| Thematic (mawdu'i) | A single theme traced across the whole Quran, such as patience or justice |
| Brief or concise | Short explanations suited to readers wanting a quick overview |
Well-Known Classical Works
Among the tafsir works most widely studied are Tafsir al-Tabari, known for gathering transmitted explanations; Tafsir Ibn Kathir, which draws heavily on the Quran and Sunnah; Tafsir al-Qurtubi, known for its focus on legal rulings; and Tafsir al-Jalalayn, a concise commentary often used by students. Many readers today study these through English or Urdu translations and abridgements, ideally with a teacher's guidance.
How to Start Studying Tafsir
- Read a reliable translation first, so you know the overall meaning.
- Learn word-by-word meaning for the passages you study, as in our guide to understanding the Quran word by word.
- Begin with a concise tafsir, moving to longer works as your understanding grows.
- Study with a qualified teacher, who can explain context and avoid misunderstandings.
If you're weighing up memorisation against understanding, our guide to memorising vs understanding the Quran explains how the two fit together.
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