The field of Tafsir is devoted to explaining the meanings of the Qur’an. There are certain principles and concepts that assist the exegete (mufassir) in his task of explaining the Qur’an, understanding the different opinions of the exegetes, and knowing how to deal with these differences. These principles are generally known as Usul al-Tafsir, or the Principles of Qur’anic Exegesis. This discipline revolves around answering the questions “How has the Qur’an been explained?” “How should we explain the Qur’an?” The first requires studying the methodology and principles utilized by the classical exegetes in their commentaries on the Qur’an, while the second requires study of those methodologies and those principles so that they can be correctly applied in explaining the Qur’an.


The terms Usul al-Tafsir and ‘Ulum al-Qur’an are often used interchangeably. However, it is more correct to regard Usul al-Tafsir as a subset of ‘Ulum al-Qur’an. This is because not all sciences related to the Qur’an play a role in explaining its meanings. An example of this is the counting of the verses. The different classical authorities of Qur’anic recitation had different methods of counting the verses of each Surah. These differences in the counting of the verses have no impact on the Tafsir of the Qur’an even though they fall under ‘Ulum al-Qur’an.

The first known work on this subject is Muqaddima Fi Usul al-Tafsir by Sh. al-Islam ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728H). Some other works on this subject include:

  • Al-Fawz al-Kabir by al-Dehlawi (d. 1176H)
  • Usul al-Tafsir by ibn ‘Uthaymin

  • Usul al-Tafsir wa Qawa’iduh by Khalid al-‘Akk

  • Buhuth Fi Usul al-Tafsir by Lutfi al-Sabbagh
  • Dirasat Fi Usul al-Tafsir by Muhsin ‘Abd al-Hamid
  • Usul al-Tafsir wa Manahijuh by Dr. Fahd al-Rumi
  • Fusul Fi Usul al-Tafsir by Dr. Musa’id al-Tayyar; this series of articles is largely based on the latter work by Dr. al-Tayyar

 

Some exegetes have also dealt with some of the topics of this discipline in the introductions to their commentaries on the Qur’an. Take, for example:

  • Ibn Kathir, his introduction is largely taken from ibn Taymiyyah’s Muqaddima
  • Al-Mawardi, in his introduction to al-Nukat wal-‘Uyun
  • Ibn Juzayy, in the introduction to his Tafsir
  • Al-Raghib al-Asfahani, in the introduction to Jami’ al-Tafasir
  • Al-Qasimi, in the introduction to his Tafsir
  • The introduction to al-Tahir b. ‘Ashur’s al-Tahrir wal-Tanwir

As mentioned, Usul al-Tafsir is a subset of ‘Ulum al-Qur’an and consequently, the books of ‘Ulum al-Qur’an also deal with many important topics of Usul al-Tafsir. Therefore, the important books of ‘Ulum al-Qur’an such as al-Burhan by al-Zarkashi (d. 794H) and al-Itqan by al-Suyuti (d. 911H), amongst others, are important references for Usul al-Tafsir.

To understand the principles of Tafsir, it is also very useful to study the works of Tafsir, particularly those written by the masters of the field who take great care to analyze and debate the different opinions. Some such works are the following:

  • Tafsir al-Tabari
  • Tafsir ibn ‘Atiyyah
  • ‘Adwa’ al-Bayan by al-Shinqiti
  • Tafsir al-Tahir b. ‘Ashur