Fatima Amenda
Junior Member
Source: Usool at-Tafseer by Bilal Philips
This post summarizes the key methods of Quranic Tafsir and lists some of the scholars who contributed to this discipline over the past few centuries since the death of the prophet (s) and his companions.
Before getting into the methods of tafsir, it is important to review some of the key terminologies about learning of the Quran.
Tafsir refers to the accurate interpretation of the Quranic texts, such as Arabic grammar and syntax, Arabic literature and Quranic sciences (Uloom al-Quran). A commentator’s familiarity with modern fields of learning, like the pure sciences and social sciences can aid in making the Quranic explanations relevant to modern human society.
Usool at-Tafseer literally means “The Fundamental Principles of Qurnic Interpretation”. It refers to those branches of knowledge which are necessary to provide the proper Quranic interpretation (tafseer). This branch of knowledge provides the step-by-step methodology of interpreting the Quran to ensure that interpretations are not merely the result of human whims and fancies.
Uloom al-Quran, refers to all the fields of knowledge which aid in elucidating the Quran. These include the following:
Continued
This post summarizes the key methods of Quranic Tafsir and lists some of the scholars who contributed to this discipline over the past few centuries since the death of the prophet (s) and his companions.
Before getting into the methods of tafsir, it is important to review some of the key terminologies about learning of the Quran.
Tafsir refers to the accurate interpretation of the Quranic texts, such as Arabic grammar and syntax, Arabic literature and Quranic sciences (Uloom al-Quran). A commentator’s familiarity with modern fields of learning, like the pure sciences and social sciences can aid in making the Quranic explanations relevant to modern human society.
Usool at-Tafseer literally means “The Fundamental Principles of Qurnic Interpretation”. It refers to those branches of knowledge which are necessary to provide the proper Quranic interpretation (tafseer). This branch of knowledge provides the step-by-step methodology of interpreting the Quran to ensure that interpretations are not merely the result of human whims and fancies.
Uloom al-Quran, refers to all the fields of knowledge which aid in elucidating the Quran. These include the following:
- Knowledge of tafseer (exegesis),
- Qiraa’aat (recitations),
- Ar-rasmul-‘Uthmaanee (the ‘Uthmaanic script),
- I‘jaaz al-Quran (miraculous aspects of the Quran),
- Asbaab an-nuzool (reasons for revelation),
- An-naasikh wal-mansookh (abrogating and abrogated verses),
- I‘raab al-Quran (Quranic grammar),
- Ghareeb al-Quran (unusual Quranic terms),
- Religious rulings, and
- Arabic language and literature.
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