Sister this ones are the condition for the interpretation of the Qur'aan:
Ibn Katheer is based on the general rules of Tafseer that are:
1- An explanation of one aya, with another aya (verse) which explains it in details
2- Explanation of the aya with a Hadith (by his -salallahu alayhi wa sallam- words and actions)
3- Interpretation of the Sahaba -radiallahu anhum- that lived with the Prophet - salallahu alayhi wa sallam- and applied the Qur'an as they understood it by the Prophet - salallahu alayhi wa sallam- and they trasmitted the interpretation to us.
4- Tabeen (Those that have lived with the Companions of the Prophet (radiallahu anhum) but they didn't see the Prophet - salallahu alayhi wa sallam-)
5- To understand an aya, we have to see the motive why this aya has been brought. Sometimes some aya are brought to comment an event that happened in that time and we have to know that event which helps us to understand the meaning of the aya.
6- And the linguistic meaning of the aya, and the rules of Arabic grammar.
7- The scientist of the Tafseer has to know all this things when he comments an aya.
This is why the Qur'an is a miracle, because Arabic language is very rich in terminology, meanings and rules.
But I don't know Arabic language... even though Allah says in the Qur'aan that He made different populations with different languages to know each other... We have only the interpretation of the mening of the Qur'aan but that does not mean that we can not learn our religion...
Remeber always the hadith of Rasool -salallahu alayhi wa sallam:
Volume 2, Book 23, Number 441:
Narrated Abu Huraira :
Allah's Apostle said, "Every child is born with a true faith of Islam (i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone) but his parents convert him to Judaism, Christianity or Magainism, as an animal delivers a perfect baby animal. Do you find it mutilated?" Then Abu Huraira recited the holy verses: "The pure Allah's Islamic nature (true faith of Islam) (i.e. worshipping none but Allah) with which He has created human beings. No change let there be in the religion of Allah (i.e. joining none in worship with Allah). That is the straight religion (Islam) but most of men know, not." (30.30)
So sister we don't deny the other Prophets the other books but they are part of our belief. We don't have any problem with the others, they are against us, because the truth will always be tested, but if we learn our religion, we can ask without problem. We can not see a religion on this earth Perfect as Islam, and we can not see people of other scriptures practising their religion as we, Alhamdulilah, do.
Remember this aya too, and send this to anyone who want to argue with you:
... This day, those who disbelieved have given up all hope of your religion, so fear them not, but fear Me. This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.... (Al Maida 5: 3)
Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) to be affected by Allah's Reminder (this Quran), and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] before (i.e. Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened? And many of them were Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). Know that Allah gives life to the earth after its death! Indeed We have made clear the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) to you, if you but understand. (Al Hadid 57: 16-17)
As a conclusion :
Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah
Umar ibn al-Khattab brought to Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) a copy of the Torah and said: ‘Allah’s Messenger, this is a copy of the Torah’. He (Allah’s Messenger) kept quiet and he (Umar) began to read it. The (colour) of the face of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) underwent a change, whereupon Abu Bakr said: ‘Would that your mother mourn you, don’t you see the face of Allah’s Messenger?’ Umar saw the face of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) and said: ‘I seek refuge with Allah from the wrath of Allah and the wrath of His Messenger. We are well pleased with Allah as Lord, with Islam as religion, and with Muhammad as Prophet’. Whereupon Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: ‘By Him in Whose hand is the life of Muhammad, even if Moses were to appear before you and you were to follow him, leaving me aside, you would certainly stray into error; for if (Moses) were alive (now), and he found my prophetical ministry, he would have definitely followed me’.
So all the prophets predicated only one religion, only one message and it is the Worship of Allah, alone, without partners.
Salam Alykum
