In this article, we will discuss the books of Tafseer. We will answer several questions such as the importance of reading Tafseer, the types of Tafseer, and what is the best Tafseer for beginners and advanced learners. This article is considered a brief guide for every Muslim aiming at understanding Allah’s book; the Quran.
There are many classifications to the books of tafseer. We will briefly discuss these classifications and types in the following paragraphs. This will help the learner to decide which Tafseer is the most suitable for his case.
English Tafseer Of The Quran According to The Time of Authorship
That is the first classification according to the time of authorship of the book of Tafseer. Some books were written in the early ages and others were written in late ages, namely in the current era. Each has its own advantage.
1. Books of Tafseer of The Early Ages
These Tafseer books were written near the time of the prophet (PBUH). They may also have been written by scholars who heard the Tafseer directly from Tabi’een or followers of Tabi’een who themselves heard from Sahaba who directly heard from the prophet (PBUH). This gives these types of Tafseer books a high level of authenticity and credibility.
Among these Tafseer books are:
- Jami’ Al-Bayan Fi Tafseer Ayy Al-Quran by Al-Imam Al-Tabari (died in 310 Hijri).
- Ma’alem Al-Tanzeel by Al-Imam Al-Baghawy (died in 516 Hijri).
- Al-Gami’ Li-Ahkam Al-Quran by Al-Qurtuby (died 671 Hijri).
- Tafseer Al-Quran Al-Azeem by Al-Imam Ibn-Katheer (died in 773 Hijri).
- Al-Durr Al-Manthour Fi Al-Tafseer Bil-Ma’thour by Al-Syooty (died 911 Hijri).
- Fath Al-Qadeer by Al-Imam Al-Shawkany (died in 1250 Hijri).
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2. Tafseer Books of The Late Ages:
These Tafseer books were written recently in the current era. Their authors may be still alive or died a couple of years earlier. These Tafseer books bear the advantage of simplicity -at most, and relevance to the current political, economic, and social status of the world. It is also open to a wide range of references of Tafseer as well as the contemporary scientific advances.
Among these Tafseer books are:
- Tafseer Al-Kareem Al-Rahman Fi Tafseer Kalam Al-Mannan by Al-Sa’di (died in 1956 A.C, 1375 Hijri).
- Adwa’ Al-Bayan Fi Idah Al-Quran Bil Quran by Muhammad Al-Shanqity (died in 1973 A.C, 1393 Hijri).se
- Al-Mokhtasar Fil-Tafseer by a group of tafseer scholars.
- Fi-Dhilal Al-Quran by Sayyid Qutb.
- Mokhtasar Ibn Katheer which is a summary of Tafseer Ibn-Katheer. There are several versions of different authors. The best among them is the one authored by Ahmed Shaker.
- Al-Tafseer Al-Muyassar by a group of tafseer scholars.
- Tafseer Al-Jalalayn by Jalal Al-Din Al-Mahali and Jalal Al-Din Al-Siyoty.
- Al-Tahreer Wa Al-Tanweer by Ibn A’shour (died in 1973 A.C, 1393 Hijri)
English Tafseer Of The Quran According to The Methodology of Tafseer
This classification depends on the Mufassir (Tafseer scholar) methodology of tafseer. There are two main types of methodology; which are by Al-Ma’thour (authentic narrations) and by Al-Ra’I (Knowledgeable Opinion).
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1. Tafseer By Ma’thur (Authentic Narrations)
It is the methodology by which the Mufassir narrates all available authentic narrations around the verse. He provides the Tafseer of the verse from the Quran itself. If he doesn’t find its Tafseer in the Quran then from Sunnah. Consequently, he may narrate the sayings of Sahaba and Tabi’een respectively.
The advantage of this methodology is that it is the nearest one to the truth and Allah’s aim. That is because it supports the Tafseer with the most authentic sources of knowledge.
Among these Tafseer books are:
- Jami’ Al-Bayan Fi Tafseer Ayy Al-Quran by Al-Imam Al-Tabari (died in 310 Hijri)
- Ma’alem Al-Tanzeel by Al-Imam Al-Baghawi (died in 516 Hijri)
- Al-Gami’ Li-Ahkam Al-Quran by Al-Qurtuby (died 671 Hijri)
- Tafseer Al-Quran Al-Azeem by Al-Imam Ibn-Katheer (died in 773 Hijri)
- Al-Durr Al-Manthour Fi Al-Tafseer Bil-Ma’thour by Al-Syooty (died 911 Hijri)
- Fath Al-Qadeer by Al-Imam Al-Shawkany (died in 1250 Hijri). However, this tafseer book also included the other type of methodology; Tafseer by Al-Ra’i.
- Adwa’ Al-Bayan Fi Idah Al-Quran Bil Quran by Muhammad Al-Shanqity (died in 1973 A.C, 1393 Hijri).
- Tafseer Al-Kareem Al-Rahman Fi Tafseer Kalam Al-Mannan by Al-Sa’di (died in 1956 A.C, 1375 Hijri).
2. Tafseer By Al-Ra’I (Knowledgeable Opinion)
This methodology depends on the Mufassir’s own reflection upon the meaning of the verse based on authentic knowledge of several sciences. Among these sciences are: The Fusha Arabic language, Asban al-nuzul, Quran sciences, The science of fiqh, Al-Qira’at (Quran recitation), and many others.
This Mufassir scholar should be truthful and highly religious. He should also understand the Quran in the light of Quran and sunnah, and shouldn’t bring up strange meanings that contradicts them.
Among these Tafseer books are:
- Fi-Dhilal Al-Quran by Sayyid Qutb. (Died in 1966 A.C)
- Al-Tahreer Wa Al-Tanweer by Ibn A’shour (Died in 1973 A.C, 1393 Hijri)
- Mafatih al-Ghayb, usually known as al-Tafsir al-Kabir by Fakhruddin Razi (Died in 1209 A.C)
- Al-Kashaf by Al-Zamakhshari (died in 1143 A.C)
- Fath Al-Qadeer by Al-Imam Al-Shawkany (died in 1250 Hijri). However, this tafseer book also included the tafseer by Ma’thour as we previously mentioned.
- Tafseer Al-Jalalayn by Jalal Al-Din Al-Mahali and Jalal Al-Din Al-Siyoty.
- Anwar Al-Tanzil wa Asrar Al-Ta;weel by Al-Baydawy (Died in 1319 A.C, 685 Hijri)
English Tafseer Of The Quran According to The Subjects Discussed in Tafseer
Tafseer books can be classified according to the subjects mostly discussed in the book. There are Tafseer books that pay attention to the linguistic styles and vocabulary of the Arabic language. Other Tafseer books are good in clarifying Islamic legislations and Fiqh.
Some Tafseer books highlight the social, economic, and political aspects of Islam. However, other books aim at simplifying Tafseer for beginners and non-experts by clarifying the overall comprehensive meaning of the verse.
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1. Brief, Simplified Tafseer Books
This type of Tafseer is brief and simplified. It clarifies the overall meanings of the verse in a comprehensive way. They -mostly- don’t present many opinions or long narrations.
These Tafseer books vary in simplicity, where some are more detailed than others. Besides, some may support the Tafseer by narrations.
These Tafseer books bear the advantage of easiness and compatibility to beginners and children. However, a more advanced learner may not find his aim of study in these books.
Among these Tafseer books are:
- Al-Tafseer Al-Muyassar by a group of Tafseer scholars.
- Al-Mokhtasar Fil-Tafseer by a group of Tafseer scholars.
- Al-Tafseer Al-Wadih Al-Muyassar by Al-Sabooni.
- Al-Tafseer Al-Wajeez by Wahba Al-Zuhayly.
- Zubdat Al-tafaseer by Muhammad Al-Ashkar.
- Aysar Al-Tafaseer by Abu-Bakr Al-Jaza’iri.
- Tawfik Al-Rahman Fi Droos Al-Quran by Faysal Al-Mubarak
- Al-Mu’een Ala Tadabur Al-Kitab Al-Mubeen by Majd Makki.
- Tafseer Al-Kareem Al-Rahman Fi Tafseer Kalam Al-Mannan by Al-Sa’di (died in 1956 A.C, 1375 Hijri).
- Tafseer Al-Jalalayn by Jalal Al-Din Al-Mahali and Jalal Al-Din Al-Siyoty.
2. Detailed And Comprehensive Tafseer Books
This type of Tafseer is more advanced than the previous one. It narrates detailed narrations of Tafseer. It also discusses different aspects and various reflections upon the verse.
These Tafseer are suitable for more advanced learners who wish to learn the verses in a detailed, comprehensive way.
Among these Tafseer books are:
- Jami’ Al-Bayan Fi Tafseer Ayy Al-Quran by Al-Imam Al-Tabari.
- Tafseer Al-Quran Al-Azeem by Al-Imam Ibn-Katheer.
- Al-Durr Al-Manthour Fi Al-Tafseer Bil-Ma’thour by Al-Syooty.
- Ma’alem Al-Tanzeel by Al-Imam Al-Baghawi.
- Al-Tahreer Wa Al-Tanweer by Ibn A’shour.
- Tafseer of Ahkam (Legal Tafseer)
- This type of Tafseer is related to jurisprudence. It discusses the verses related to legislation and reflects upon them.
- Among these Tafseer books are:
- Al-Gami’ Li-Ahkam Al-Quran by Al-Qurtuby.
- Fath Al-Qadeer by Al-Imam Al-Shawkany.
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3. Linguistic Tafseer Books
This type of Tafseer books discusses the linguistic aspect in the Quran. It reflects upon the Arabic words’ meanings, the Arabic language ‘Nahu’ (rules), and ‘Balagha’ (Eloquence).
Among these Tafseer books are:
- Al-Kashaf by Al-Zamakhshari.
- Fath Al-Qadeer by Al-Imam Al-Shawkany.
- Al-Tahreer Wa Al-Tanweer by Ibn A’shour.
- Anwar Al-Tanzil wa Asrar Al-Ta;weel by Al-Baydawy.
- Political, economic, and Social Tafseer
This type of tafseer discusses contemporary Islamic world issues and interests. It includes reflections upon contemporary world economic, political, and social lives.
The most important tafseer book in this type is: Fi-Dhilal Al-Quran by Sayyid Qutb.
4. Philosophical Tafseer Books
This tafseer is somehow philosophical. It goes deep in the meanings of the verses and discovers beautiful reflections upon the verse.
Among these tafseer books: Mafatih al-Ghayb, usually known as al-Tafsir al-Kabir by Fakhruddin Razi
Which Tafseer Book Is the Best?
The best tafseer book is the one that refers to the true sources of Tafseer. These are The Quran, Sunnah, the interpretations of the Sahaba and Tabi’een (the companions of prophet Muhammad and their followers) and then the commentaries of highly knowledgeable Muslim scholars based on authentic knowledge.
Once you find that book, it will be one of your best candidates for Tafseer. However, you should keep in mind that the best tafseer for you depends on your aim of studying tafseer. This means that there are many truthful books of tafseer, yet each discusses the verses of the Quran from different aspects.
You should choose the book of tafseer that is suitable for your level in learning, your aim of study, and the available sources in your language or area.
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What Is the Best Tafseer for Beginners?
The best Tafseer for beginners are the most direct, simplified, and comprehensive types of Tafseer. These are the tafseers we previously discussed in the section of The brief, Simplified Tafseer section.
What Is the Best Quran Tafseer in English Online?
The best Quran Tafseer in English could be one of the previously mentioned tafseer books. You may find many of them online translated into English. However, the most common ones available in English are:
The Ascendant Qur’an: Realigning Man to the Divine Power Culture by Imam Muhammad Al-Asi.
Ma’ariful Qur’an by Pakistani Sunni Islamic scholar Shafi Usmani.
What are the Best 16 Quran Apps with Tafseer?
The best Quran apps with Tafseer on Google Play are:
- Learn Quran Tafsir
- Daily Quran: English (Tafsir)
- Quran English word by Word
- Al-Quran Tafseer & by word
- Quran and Tafsir by Quran Acad
- The Noble Quran and Tafseer
- Maarif ul Quran English
- Tafheem ul Quran in English
- Tafheem ul Quran | English Taf
- Quran Hadi-with English Tafs
- Holy Quran With Tafsir
- Tafsir Ibn Kathir
- Tafseer Ibn-e-Kaseer
- Tafsir As Sadi-Quran English
- Tafsir Al-Kurtubi English
- Quran -Word by Word & Tafsir
Conclusion | How to Decide The Best Tafseer Book?
Tafseer is one of the essential types of knowledge we should focus on learning nowadays. It helps a Muslim understand Allah’s words and verses. It also opens the door for reflection upon the Quran and practicing it.
There are many types of Tafseer books written throughout Islamic history. They differ according to their time of authorship, the methodology of Tafseer, and the subjects discussed. A Learner should choose the most suitable type according to his purpose of study and level of knowledge.
