Major Figures of Tafsir

back to Tafsir

from Dr. Mahmoud Ayoub: The Qur'an and Its Interpreters

In Ayoub's introduction, he presents the major figures of tafsir, in the following order. Ayoub states reasons for including each commentator and their claims to authority. Furthermore, Ayoub states that he follows the tradition of Ibn Kathir, who places the section of the history of the Qur'an at the END of his commentary because he regarded tafsir more important than the historical. Ibn Kathir follows al-Bukhari in this decision as well. That which is in quotations are direct words of Ayoub. (Alexis)

(comments from laury) This is an excellent summary of the major figures. I'd like to see a few lines above summarizing the major types of claims of authority. Likewise, unpack Ayoub's description of himself. I will scan in a section from a superb new book by Walid Saleh on Thalabi's Tafsir as a supplementary reading (I just started reading it this weekend). He makes an excellent argument for two types of tafsir: encyclopedic and madrasa style. To over simplify, the encyclopedic tafsirs collect numerous positions/readings on a verse and argue through the collection the intellectual and ethical value of consensus through preserving difference of agreement. Madrasa commentaries take a more positioned approach (i.e., take up one thread from an encyclopedic approach) but rely on and typically affirm the encyclopedic in the process. How does Ayoub's work fit in here? How do the others fit in? Where would Razi be? Think about what that means for authority.

al-Tabari

(d. 310)- All who follow al-Tabari have heavily relied on his work.
Presents first major work in the development of traditional Qur'anic sciences, presenting tradition of tafsir with skill and "fidelity"
He wrote, "We shall present the reasons for every school of thought or opinion and elucidate what we consider to be the right view with utmost brevity."

al-Wahidi

Ibn Kathir

(d. 724)- Famous Shafi'i jurist, traditionalist and historian; "conservative"
Student and defender of Ibn Taymiyah
As stated above, placed section of the history of the Qur'an at the end of his commentary, emphasizing the science of tafsir over history.
He "presents traditions that rely in a critical manner on a variety of sources"
Fair and informative

al-Qurtubi

(d. 671)- Belongs to the Maliki school of jurisprudence, but at times disagrees with it.
Well-organized and usable tafsir rooted in popular piety and hadith.

al-Zamakhshari

(d. 538)- Subtle thinker with linguistic explanations
Despite evidence of Mu'tazili persuasion, his tafsir is regarded by the Sunni ulama as one of the most important.
Uses hadith tradition analytically, but with little regard to chain of transmission.
Lived in Macca so long he was known as Jar Allah (God's neighbor). (Tuna)

al-Razi

(d. 606)- Philosophically oriented: The most well known (Tuna)
Regarded as a mujaddid, one sent to "renew religion"
Tafsir confusing because of layers and layers of arguments.
Digresses but unique
Confusing becasue the layer after layer arguements had counterarguements that usually did not lead to any conclusion.(Tuna)
Died before completing the tafsir (major) and it is very hard to differentiate between student vs. master's (Razi) work. It is unknow if it was one student or several who completed Razi's Tafsir. (Tuna)

al-Nisaburi

Ibn 'Arabi

(d. 638)- Represents Sufi thought at its highest level
Short volume work used by Ayoub thought to be by Ibn 'Arabi's disciple, al-Qashani
Wrote three tafsir; the shortest is the most popular one. (Tuna)

al-Qummi

al-Tabarsi

(d. 548)- "Presented the views of all major commentators fairly and comprehensively"
Comprehensive, classical tafsir that explains uncommon words before beginning commentary.
Not strictly Shi'i, but highly regards Shi'i and Mu'tazili rational theology
Moderate scholar, "fair and accurate"
Comprehensive tafsir(Tuna)
Presents different views of commentators, traditionists, and theologians (fairly and accurately)--(Tuna)

al-Tabataba'i

Sayyid Qutb

(d. 1966)- For today's muslim youth, both Shi'i and Sunni
Careful not to depart from the Qur'an while interpreting it
Using tradition sparingly
All but the most widely accepted hadiths are rejected
Has own views of Islam "as a religious system and its relationship to other systems and ideologies"

(Alexis)