The Reading Room
Usool At-tafseerShu‘bah ibn al-Hajjaaj, Sufyaan ibn ‘Uyaynah and it was translated by Dr. M. Abdul Haq Ansari
78 chapters

Usool At-tafseer

Usool at-Tafseer, or the Fundamental Principles of Qur'aanic Interpretation, refers to the branches of knowledge that are necessary to provide an accurate interpretation of the Qur'aanic texts[2]. These branches of knowledge include Arabic grammar and syntax, Arabic literature, and Qur'aanic sciences (‘uloom al-Qur’aan)[2]. In addition, familiarity with modern fields of learning, such as the pure sciences and social sciences, is necessary for a commentator to make the Qur'aanic explanations relevant to modern human society[2]. Usool at-Tafseer addresses the step-by-step methodology of interpreting the Qur'aan to ensure that interpretations are not based on personal whims and fancies[2]. It emphasizes the importance of using proper methodology and relying on sound principles of interpretation[2]. These principles have traditionally been mentioned in the books of usool al-fiqh (The Fundamental Principles of Islamic Law) and the introductions to classical books of Tafseer[2]. Among the well-known early works dedicated to Usool at-Tafseer is a treatise called "Muqaddimah fee Usool at-Tafseer" by Ibn Taymeeyah, an outstanding scholar of the 13th century CE[2]. Another notable work is "at-Takmeel fee Usool at-Ta'weel" by the Indian scholar ‘Abdul-Hameed al-Faraahee[2]. The term "‘uloom al-Qur’aan" is commonly used to refer to all the fields of knowledge that serve to elucidate the Qur'aan or are derived from it[2]. These fields include the following[2]: Tafseer (exegesis) Qiraa’aat (recitations) Ar-rasmul-‘Uthmaanee (the ‘Uthmaanic script) I‘jaaz al-Qur’aan (miraculous aspects of the Qur’aan) Asbaab an-nuzool (reasons for revelation) An-naasikh wal-mansookh (abrogating and abrogated verses) I‘raab al-Qur’aan (Qur’aanic grammar) Ghareeb al-Qur’aan (unusual Qur’aanic terms) Religious rulings Arabic language and literature

78 chapters

Chapters

  1. 1Introduction 8 min read
  2. 21 Tafseer Of The Qur’aan4 min read
  3. 31.1 Schools Of Tafseer 3 min read
  4. 41.2 Transmission Of Tafseer9 min read
  5. 51.3 Tafseer And Ta’weel4 min read
  6. 61.4 The Method Of Tafseer13 min read
  7. 71.5 Deviant Tafseers5 min read
  8. 81.6 The Conditions For The Mufassir 1083 min read
  9. 92 Books Of Tafseer2 min read
  10. 102.1 Tafseer Bir-riwaayah7 min read
  11. 112.2 Tafseer Bid-diraayah13 min read
  12. 122.3 Tafseers Of The Mu‘tazilees 3 min read
  13. 133 Translation Of The Qur’aan10 min read
  14. 143.1 Types Of Translation3 min read
  15. 154 The Qur’aan: The Unique Book3 min read
  16. 164.1 The Main Theme 3 min read
  17. 174.2 The Miracle Of The Qur’aan5 min read
  18. 184.3 The Challenge5 min read
  19. 194.4 Other Aspects Of The Qur’aan’s Miraculous Nature3 min read
  20. 204.5 Predictions About The Future 1 min read
  21. 214.6 Descriptions Of Natural Phenomena 2 min read
  22. 224.7 Contradictions In The Qur’aan7 min read
  23. 234.8 The Numerical Miracle of the Qur’aan3 min read
  24. 245 Wahy: Divine Revelation4 min read
  25. 255.1 The Method Of Wahy1 min read
  26. 265.2 Direct Revelations4 min read
  27. 275.3 Indirect Revelation2 min read
  28. 285.4 Types Of Wahy1 min read
  29. 295.5 Doubts About Qur’aanic Wahy7 min read
  30. 306 The Revelations Of The Qur’aan1 min read
  31. 316.1 The First Revelation4 min read
  32. 326.2 The Second Revelation2 min read
  33. 336.3 The Significance Of Segmented Revelation12 min read
  34. 346.4 Educational Benefits Of Segmented Revelation2 min read
  35. 357 The Collection Of The Qur’aan4 min read
  36. 367.1 The Era Of The Prophet (ﷺ) 609-632 Ce4 min read
  37. 377.2 The Era Of Aboo Bakr 632-634 Ce/11-13 Ah6 min read
  38. 387.3 The Era Of ‘uthmaan 644-656 Ce/23-35 Ah 6 min read
  39. 397.4 Memorization Of The Qur’aan5 min read
  40. 407.5 Significance Of The Qur’aan’s Preservation3 min read
  41. 418 The Qur’aanic Text5 min read
  42. 428.1 The ‘uthmaanee Script5 min read
  43. 438.2 Decoration Of The Text2 min read
  44. 449 Dialects And Recitations2 min read
  45. 459.1 Sab‘ah Ahruf (the Seven Forms) 7 min read
  46. 469.2 Significance Of The Seven Forms2 min read
  47. 479.3 The Dialect Of Quraysh2 min read
  48. 489.4 Qiraa’aat (the Recitations) 6 min read
  49. 499.5 Tajweed (proper Qur’aanic Recitation)3 min read
  50. 5010 Asbaab An-nuzool: Reasons For Revelation2 min read
  51. 5110.1 The Benefits Of Asbaab An-nuzool6 min read
  52. 5210.2 Method Of Interpretation5 min read
  53. 5311 Makkan And Madeenan Revelations1 min read
  54. 5411.1 The Features Of Makkan Revelations7 min read
  55. 5511.2 The Features Of Madeenan Revelations6 min read
  56. 5611.3 The Importance Of The Distinction3 min read
  57. 5712 Naskh: Repeal And Replacement Of Divine Laws2 min read
  58. 5812.1 Conditions For Naskh2 min read
  59. 5912.2 Knowledge Of Naskh4 min read
  60. 6012.3 Types Of Naskh7 min read
  61. 6112.4 The Types Of Replacement2 min read
  62. 6212.5 The Wisdom Of Naskh2 min read
  63. 6313 The Muhkam (clear) And Mutashaabih (obscure) Verses 9 min read
  64. 6414 Literary Form Of The Qur’aan1 min read
  65. 6514.1 The Mathal8 min read
  66. 6614.2 The Qasam3 min read
  67. 6714.3 The Jadal (debate) 3 min read
  68. 6814.4 The Qissah (narrative) 4 min read
  69. 6915 Language Of The Qur’aan1 min read
  70. 7015.1 Aamm (general) And Khaass (specific) 5 min read
  71. 7115.2 Specification Of The ‘aamm1 min read
  72. 7215.3 Expressions Of Takhsees3 min read
  73. 7315.4 Takhsees Of A Verse By An External Statement3 min read
  74. 7415.5 Mutlaq (absolute) And Muqayyad (qualified) 7 min read
  75. 7515.6 Mantooq (stated) And Mafhoom (implied) Meanings5 min read
  76. 7615.7 Mafhoom (implied) Meanings5 min read
  77. 77Conclusion 5 min read
  78. 78Bibliography5 min read