NOTABLE PAST AND PRESENT SCHOLARS OF *TAFSEER * (QURANIC EXEGESIS)

 

 

 

 

An overview of notable past and present scholars of *Tafsir* (Quranic exegesis), categorized by historical periods and their contributions:

 

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**Classical Scholars of Tafseer (7th–15th Century)**

 

 

1. **Ibn Abbas (d. 68 AH/687 CE)**

 

 

- A companion of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and one of the earliest interpreters of the Quran. His explanations are foundational in *Tafsir bi’l-Ma’thur* (narrations-based exegesis) .

 

 

2. **Muqatil ibn Sulayman (d. 150 AH/767 CE)**

 

 

- Author of *Tafsir al-Kabir*, one of the earliest complete Quranic commentaries .

 

 

3. **Imam al-Tabari (d. 310 AH/923 CE)**

 

- Wrote *Jami’ al-Bayan fi Ta’wil al-Quran*, a monumental work combining Hadith, linguistic analysis, and historical context. It remains a primary reference for Sunni scholarship .

 

 

4. **Al-Zamakhshari (d. 538 AH/1144 CE)**

 

- Authored *Al-Kashshaf*, a Mu’tazili-influenced

 

*Tafsir* renowned for its linguistic brilliance, later adapted by Sunni scholars .

 

 

5. **Fakhr al-Din al-Razi (d. 606 AH/1210 CE)**

 

- His *Mafatih al-Ghayb* (*Al-Tafsir al-Kabir*) integrates theology, philosophy, and science, influencing both Sunni and Shia thought .

 

 

6. **Ibn Kathir (d. 774 AH/1373 CE)**

 

- Compiled *Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim*, a Hadith-centric exegesis widely used for its reliance on authentic narrations .

 

 

7. **Al-Qurtubi (d. 671 AH/1273 CE)**

 

- Focused on legal rulings in *Al-Jami’ li Ahkam Al-Quran*, a key resource for Islamic jurisprudence .

 

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 **Modern Scholars of Tafseer (19th–21st Century)**

 

 

1. **Muhammad al-Tahir ibn Ashur (d. 1393 AH/1973 CE)**

 

- Wrote *Al-Tahrir wa’l-Tanwir*, emphasizing the Quran’s linguistic elegance and objectives (*Maqasid al-Shariah*) .

 

 

2. **Abd al-Rahman al-Sa’di (d. 1376 AH/1956 CE)**

 

- Authored *Taysir al-Karim al-Rahman*, a concise and accessible *Tafsir* popular in Salafi circles .

 

 

3. **Sayyid Qutb (d. 1386 AH/1966 CE)**

 

- His *Fi Zilal al-Quran* is a thematic commentary highlighting social justice and Islamic revivalism .

 

 

4. **Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali**

 

- Collaborated on *The Noble Quran*, an English translation with explanatory notes based on classical *Tafsir* .

 

 

5. **Contemporary Scholars**

 

 

- **Abu Bakr al-Jaza’iri** (d. 2018): Wrote *Taysir al-‘Aliyy al-Qadeer* .

 

 

- **Wahbah al-Zuhayli** (d. 2015): Authored *Al-Tafsir al-Munir*, blending traditional and modern insights .

 

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 **Key Observations**

 

 

- **Methodologies**: Classical *Tafsir* relied on

*Tafsir bi’l-Ma’thur* (narrations) and *Tafsir bi’l-Ra’y* (reasoning), while modern works often address contemporary issues .

 

- **Language**: Many classical works are in Arabic, though translations (e.g., *Tafsir Ibn Kathir*) are widely available .