Tafsir Literature: Growth and Development
- April 24, 2019
- Posted by: RSIS
- Category: Islamic Studies
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue IV, April 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186
Tafsir Literature: Growth and Development
Abu Nasar Mohammad Abdul Mabood
Dr., Associate Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, University of Chittagong, Chittagong-4331, Bangladesh
Abstract:The Qur’ān introduces itself as a guidance which encourages man to realize the nature of his existence. The man who would reflect upon Allāh’s guidance should therefore have a thorough understanding of the Qur’ān. The Qur’ān needed interpretation, even while it was being revealed. The effort of interpreting the meaning of this guidance according to man’s ability is called tafsir. As recorded in many accounts, the style of Qur’ān commentary is traceable as far back as the first generation of Muslims( 310-23, 1995, V. 72, n. 2, Der Islām). After the Prophet Muhammad (r) himself, Ibn ‘Abbās (رضى الله عنهما) was the most prominent Qur’ān interpreter among the Prophet’s Companions,[1] his exegesis was marked by a close attention to certain expressions of the Qur’ān and the occasions on which the Qur’ān was revealed. It contains an unlimited possibility of meanings. The impression that it has upon our thoughts stands at the level of absolute existence. Therefore, its verses are always open to new interpretation; it can never be restricted to a single interpretation. The variety of possible interpretations of the Qur’ānic verses shows the need for a similar variety of approaches. Qur’ānic exegetes formed schools and formulated principles of exegesis and methods of interpretation which often reflected the socio-political environment and comparison the religious thoughts of their eras.[2] At first, the study of the Qur’ān involved the study of the text itself, focusing on its readings and the traditions that explained it. Later, this was extended to commentary on the Qur’ān originally meant to give Muslims Qur’ānic answers to their daily problems. When Muslims encountered other civilizations, the status of the Qur’ān was included. Toward the end of the last second century hijri, the study of the authenticity of the Qur’a>n and of its miraculous nature (i‘jāz al-Qur’ān) developed mainly to establish the validity of Muhammad’s(r) Prophethood. After the Prophet (r) it has been developed day by day by the methods which are accredited to all. The paper has been focused on the development of Tafsir literature.
Keywards: Definition of Tafsir, Preservation and Compilation of the Qur’ān,Origin and Development of Tafsir,Growth of Tafsir, Classaification of Tafsir.
