What Tafsir Is and Why It’s Important
To completely understand the Quran, which is an expression of Allah Almighty, one must have more knowledge. For them to learn the unchanging truth, they must broaden their thinking and intellectual capacities. After acquiring this understanding, a person can then start to comprehend the message that Allah has been sent.
The Tafsir of the Quran is not produced by a common person with rudimentary intelligence and knowledge of Islam. Instead, it is done by people who have learned about Islam and have a wide range of knowledge. A Mufassir is a Tafsir author.
Muslims often study the Quran and pursue its interpretation, but reading Tafsir also has importance. Finding the true meanings of Quranic passages or chapters is the aim of a tafsir.
Therefore, the question: What is Tafsir? Tafsir is an analytical explanation of the Quran known as an exegesis. Here are a few Tafsir interpretations from various Islamic scholars;
Tafsir: What is it?
According to Kitab Al Ayn by Al-Khalil Ibn Ahmad Al-Farahidi:
An Arabic word called tafsir is derived from the word ‘Fassara. Fassara means to make clear, illuminate, expound, understand, or interpret. Additionally, it suggests the explanation or translation of anything.
The Az Zarkahsee – Al Burhan Fi Uloom Al Quran:
The word Tafsir is a transposition of the Arabic letter s-f-r, which means to uncover, expose, or reveal, as another person’s assessment has shown. To put it another way, the Tafsir of the Quran would entail exposing the implications and exposing the consequences of the Quran.
How can I study the Quran’s Tafsir?
In order to receive a clear response, you must first comprehend what tafseer is and why it is crucial.
- A reputable forum can help you find an instructor like Wazakir.
- To study the true Tafseer, be sure the instructors are Sunni Muslims.
- Pick one of the top 3 Tafseer books from the list. The best Tafsir text to date is widely acknowledged to be Tafseer Ibn-Kathir.
- After receiving a detailed lesson plan from the teacher, schedule your class.
- Discover the specifics of the surahs in the tafsir
What is Tafsir according to Islamic studies?
The holy Quran’s interpretation, or tafsir, is best done in Arabic before being translated into other languages for ease of understanding by speakers of those other languages. Tafseer is the science of summarizing each Ayah in great detail because each Ayah had a unique cause and moment of revelation. Reading and reciting the Quran are pleasurable activities, but understanding its meaning and tafsir is crucial to comprehending the meaning of life and how to live according to Islamic values.
Reasons for the Importance of Tafsir Study in Islam
In this essay, we go over some justifications for why a Muslim should consider learning the Tafsir of the Quran:
1. To Support Worship When observing the Quran
The sole authoritative and unchanging text until the Day of Judgment is the Quran, which is the source of all truth. Tafsir of the Quran makes it simpler for anybody to comprehend the Quran more fully.
“I leave behind me two things, the Quran and the Sunnah (Hadith), and if you follow these, you will never err,” the Prophet (SAWW) remarked in his final sermon.
This hadith demonstrates the importance of reading and comprehending the Quran for leading a steady life under Allah’s guidance after the Prophet’s (SAWW) passing.
Moreover, all Muslims are required to master the Tafsir of the Quran in order to study the five pillars (foundational principles) of Islam. Tafsir instruction will enable one to carry out these actions with the proper parity and uttermost commitment.
The declaration of faith, or shahadah.
“There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.”
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “When anyone of you stands to pray, he is communicating with his Lord, so let him pay attention to how he speaks to Him.”
As mentioned in the Quran: “O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” (Quran 2:153)
Sawm i.e. fasting in the month of Ramadan.
The Quran states: “Oh ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you even as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may reach attainment.”
Zakat i.e. giving charity in the way of Allah.
“The alms are only for the poor or needy; and the destitute, those employed to collect Zakat. To attract the hearts of those who have been inclined towards Islam, to free the captives; and for those in debt; for Allah’s Cause; for the wayfarer, a traveler who is cut off from everything; a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.” [Quran 9:60]
Hajj i.e. pilgrimage by visiting the holy Ka’aba.
In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty Says: “Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and guidance for Al-‘Alamin (the mankind and jinns).
2. To perform the daily prayers with humility and focus
There is a chance of not being precise or correct when someone prays numerous times every day. Additionally, he can become preoccupied with all of the ideas that are racing through his head regarding his hobbies, plans, and concerns.
When the person is conscious of the significance and meaning of each verse he recites in his petition, this can be avoided. Not only would this help the person develop khushoo and khuzoo in his supplication, but he would also have solidified his relationship with Allah. When one studies Tafsir, this is possible.
3. To Help Non-Arabic People Understand the Quran More Completely.
Those who know Arabic or are descended from Arabian dialects would immediately understand the significance and meaning of the Quran since Allah utilizes the cleanest, smoothest, and shortest language possible.
People who do not speak Arabic will not be able to understand the Quran as easily, nevertheless. For this reason, Tafsir study is essential for every member of the Muslim Ummah.
Iyas ibn Mu’awiyah, who died in 122 A.H., once remarked,
“The person who narrates the Quran without understanding its interpretation is like a group of people who get a written letter from their king in the middle of the night without having a torch to read it.
As a result, they are completely unaware of the message’s contents. The person who knows Tafsir is likened to someone who approaches them with a lamp and explains what is contained in the message.
4-To establish a lifelong connection with our Creator
The concept of proximity to Allah has been emphasized throughout the Quran on many occasions and has been interpreted to indicate a variety of things, including that Allah is always by your side. The term “closeness to Allah” can indicate many different things, though.
As mentioned in the Quran: “And indeed We have created man, and We know whatever thoughts his inner self develops, and We are closer to him than (his) jugular vein.” [Quran 50:16].
Learning Tafsir develops a bond in a believer’s heart with the creator far deeper than reading or memorizing the Quran does. It pushes one’s heart and mind closer toward the word of Allah and forces us to stay on a straight and righteous path.
5-To Explain the Accurate Meaning of the Words of the Quran
Abu Abdur Rahman Sulami stated, “We were educated by the individuals who used to teach us the Quran, (Uthman Bin Affan, Ibn Masud) and others, that they would learn ten verses one after another from the Prophet(SAWW) and they would not go past them until they had learned the meaning and application of these verses. They stated so we learned the Quran alongside the meaning and application.”
Following the above example, an individual can permit some time in his everyday life to peruse the Quran in Arabic. He can also focus on the importance and hidden meaning behind certain words/verses that Allah has used. He can read and learn Tafsir in whichever language he feels to comprehend it better. This will prove to be a successful method of applying the information in the Quran in one’s life.
In any case, tragically, people these days imagine that they have satisfied the privileges of the Quran by perusing it without understanding the genuine motivation behind its words. May Allah direct us all to comprehend the genuine substance of our religion through the lessons of the Quran and Hadith.
6-For a person’s perfect character and conduct
In the Qur’an, Allah uses intimacy with him as a means of achieving Jannah and as a remedy for a great deal of the problems and sufferings of this fallen world. It is a comprehensive and all-inclusive manual for following Allah’s instructions in daily life.
With this impact, Hasan Al-Banna, a renowned Islamic scholar, says, “A Muslim ought to endeavor to accomplish a strong body, great character, refined idea. He ought to have the option to procure a living, have unadulterated conviction, and have the right to worship. He ought to have the option to control his wants, be cautious about his time, sorted out his issues, and be helpful to everyone around him. These involve the obligations of each Muslim as a person.”
For the perfection of one’s character and conduct reading the Quran is significant, learning of Tafsir is extremely important to understand the meaning behind His words which will in turn help in implementation.
7-To Establish Rules to Govern Individual and Familial Relations
Fiqh is an Islamic jurisprudence or the understanding of an individual regarding Sharia. It is a compilation of Islamic law which is done under great consideration by using The Quran. Many familial relations such as the distribution of wealth and nikkah (marriage agreement) are all done while keeping in mind the teachings of the Quran. This, however, is only achieved when the people in charge of making laws i.e. the Islamic council know the Tafsir of the Quran.
The Quran mentions “Indeed We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims”. [Quran 16:89]
8-Establishment of Laws to Govern an Islamic Community
Similarly to the above reason, the Quran is the chief source of Islamic law, the Sharia. It contains the principles by which the Muslim world is administered and structures the reason for relations among man and God, between people, regardless of whether Muslim or non-Muslim and among man and things which are also considered as creations. The Sharia contains the standards by which a Muslim society is sorted and run. It also gives a way to resolve conflict among people and between the person and the state.
Now until and unless the council of people does not know Tafsir and doesn’t know the in-depth meaning behind the words of the Almighty, they will not be able to construct proper rules and regulations keeping in mind Allah’s command.
9) To gain knowledge about the background of our religion
The Quran contains various tales that Allah Almighty has revealed, including tales about earlier Prophets and their Ummah, prophetic miracles, the miracle of our Most Recent Prophet Muhammad (SAWW), and many others. One must learn the Tafsir of the Quran in order to comprehend and comprehend the lessons contained within these stories.
A case in point is the narrative of Prophet Musa, which Almighty Allah refers to in many chapters of the Holy Scripture: “Then the Pharaoh’s household took him up, in order that he could become for them an enemy and a (source of) misery Verily! Haman, Pharaoh, and their entourage all committed sins.
And the wife of Pharaoh said: “A comfort of the eye for me and you. Kill him not, perhaps he may be of benefit to us, or we may adopt him as a son. ” And they perceived not (the result of that).” [Quran 28: 9]
Since the majority of Islamic history books are written in Arabic, learning Arabic online will help you gain a proper understanding of Islam through online Islamic classes or by reading Islamic history books.
10 Tips for Introducing Others to Islam
whenever someone must extend an invitation to Islam to someone else. He must have a correct and comprehensive understanding of Islam. through becoming well-versed in Hadith and learning the Tafsir of the Quran.
He will only provide guidance, examples, appropriate guidance, and ethics of the lessons of the Quran when engaging in da’wah if he has a solid understanding of those lessons.
“Verily this Quran leads to the path that is most right” [Quran 17:9]
Verses like this will inspire and drive individuals to adopt Islam, coupled with other thorough justifications; the person who extends an invitation to others needs to be fully aware of all factors to aid him in his task.
What are the Five Tafseer Methods?
There are five ways to grasp the Quran, of which the top two are sufficient. If the first two don’t provide enough information, however, you can try the other techniques.
Tafseer of the Qur’an by the Qur’an.
2. Sunnah-based tafseer of the Quran.
3. Tafseer of the Qur’an by the Prophet SAWW’s companions.
4. The Tafseer of the Qur’an by Language.
5. The Tafseer of the Qur’an in the view of renowned scholars.
What is the Tafseer Principle?
The Mualim (a teacher who is teaching tafseer) must be very knowledgeable in order to effectively teach tafseer, according to the main rule of the subject.
- The teacher needs to be well-versed in Quranic Tafseer from various books with reliable sources.
- He should be able to illustrate his points using stories from the Quran, the Sunnah, the life of the Sahaba (companions), and the tabieen (followers of the Sahabas).
- He must have thoroughly read the hadith texts to provide pertinent instances.
- He needs to be a devout Muslim.
Final Reflections
Arabic, the most vast and widespread language containing words with various pitches and accents, is the language of the Quran. The language is precise and generous in its significance. Additionally, it is unique in that it can store and transmit several messages in a short amount of time. This suggests that a single word or sentence could have an infinite amount of meaning. Learning Tafsir is important in the end while reading and remembering the Quran.