top ten books for Tafseer

Introduction:

top ten books for Tafseer

Principally, at- tafsir deals with the issues of linguistics, jurisprudence, and theology. In terms of perspective and approach, tafsir can be broadly divided into two categories, namely tafsir bi-al-ma’thur (lit. received tafsir), which is transmitted from the early days of Islam through the prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his companions, and tafsir bi-al-ra’y (lit. tafsir by opinion), which is arrived at through personal reflection or independent rational thinking.

1. Tafsir al-Tabari

Jāmiʿ al-bayān ʿan taʾwīl āy al – Quran top ten books for Tafseer

Popularly Tafsīr al-Ṭabarī (Arabic: تفسير الطبري‎), is a Sunni tafsir by the Persian scholar Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari (838–923). It immediately won high regard and retained its importance for scholars to the present day. It is the earliest major running commentary of the Quran to have survived in its original form. Like his history, al-Tabari's tafsir is notable for its comprehensiveness and citation of multiple, often conflicting sources. The book was translated into Persian by a group of scholars from Transoxania on the commission of the Samanid king, Mansur I (961–976).

2. TAFSIR IBN KATHIR AUTHENTIFIE

top ten books for Tafseer

Author: Ibn Kathir

This is the most well-known and highly regarded Tafsir, which every Muslim should own.

Shaykh al-Uthaymin said of it, “This is a very useful book in the field of Quranic commentary based on traditions. It is also the most reliable, even though it only rarely addresses grammatical aspects and the eloquence of speech.” Imam as-Suyuti also said, “Ibn Kathir is the author of a Tafsir that has no equal in style.”

Imam as-Shawkani also said, “Ibn Kathir is the author of the famous multi-volume Tafsir, in which he cited hadiths, athars, and various opinions, and in which he expressed himself with the best and most valuable words. It is one of the best Tafsirs, if not the best.” Ahmad Shakir said in ‘Umdatu-Tafsir: “The Tafsir of al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir is the best Tafsir; also the most qualitative and the most precise that we have seen after the Tafsir of the Imam of Exegetes Abu Ja’far at-Tabari.”

3. TAFSIR AL-QURTUBI – AL-JAMI’ LI AHKAM AL-QURAN

top ten books for Tafseer

A . Author :

Imam Abu ‘Abdullah Al-Qurtubi or Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Abu Bakr al-Ansari al – Qurtubi (d. 1272). He was an Andalusian jurist, Islamic scholar and Muhaddith. He was taught by prominent scholars of Córdoba, Spain and also he is well known for his commentary of the Quran named Tafsir al-Qurtubi.

B . About The Book

Here is one of the most iconic Tafsir that was written: That of Imam Qurtubi. No one before or after him has produced a work such as his, which include all forms of Tafsir : linguistics, causes of revelations, definitions of difficult words, hadith and words of Salaf … and besides all this, he has developed and treated as nobody legal judgments arising verses on entering fiqh issues and divergences.

4.TAFSIR AL-JALALAYN EN ANNOTATIONS DU SAINT CORAN (3 FORMATS)

top ten books for Tafseer

Author: As-Suyuti (911 AH)

A magnificent edition of one of the most widely used Tafsirs in the world, often studied first in the science of Tafsir. These concise annotations were initially the work of Jalal-ad-Din al-Muhalli (864 AH) and later completed by Imam Jalal ad-Din as-Suyuti (911 AH).

This edition contains no "corrective" annotations; it is the original text. However, the editor has added footnotes from the work "Al-Mukhtar As-Sahih min Asbab an-Nuzul" to provide some Fawa'id (benefits) regarding the reasons for the revelation of the verses.

The edition is of high quality and is available in three sizes (cover colors are random).

5. TAFSIR AL-QURAN AL-‘ADHIM – IBN ABI HATIM AR-RAZI (327H)

top ten books for Tafseer

Author: Ibn Abi Hatim (327H)

Here is one of the most famous Tafsir of the Salafs,

on the common methodology of the first generations which was the Tafsir according to the Hadiths and Athars. Hafidh ibn Abi Hatim ar-Razi (327H) reported in his Tafsir only 4 levels of Athars : the Hadiths of the Prophet, then the Tafsir of the Sahabahs, then Tabi’in, then Tabi Tabi’in and finally those who followed these. His Tafsir is complete, verse by verse, when it’s not word by word, until Surat al-Hud, then by selected Surah after that. The Tahqiq and annotations on the book are exemplary , and extremely useful to the student and the researcher regarding the chains of transmission. and also The scientific introductions are very thorough, they cover the entire first volume. Finally the last 3 volumes are dedicated to the summary and index of research, we recall and give a short biography of all the men whose Ibn Abi Hatim took the hadith, then finally a summary of Athar and Hadith Surah by Surah.

6.Tafsir Al-Kabir By Imam Fakhr Al-din Al-Razi, 32 vol in 16 Books

top ten books for Tafseer

A . Author :

Muhammad ibn `Umar ibn al-Hasan ibn al-Husayn Abu `Abd Allah al-Qurashi, al-Bakri, al-Taymi, al-Tabaristani al-Shafi`i, known as Ibn al-Khatib and as Fakhr al-Din al-Razi was born in Rayy near present-day Tehran in AH 543 or 544/ad 1149-50 and died in 606AH/1209), Shaykh al-Islam, the imam of the learned scholars of kalam and the foundations of belief, a major jurist of the Shafi`i school, also specialist of Usul, Commentator of the Quran, Philologist, genealogist, heresiographer, logician, Mathematician, Astronomer and physician. An ocean that contains more pearls than the ocean.’ The principal spokesman of Ahl al-Sunnah in his time, he refuted all the sects with which he came into contact,

particularly the multifarious groups of the Mu`tazila, Shi`a, and Hashwiyya as well as the Jews and Christians

B . About The Book

This is the work of Imam Fakhr al-din al-Razi (died 606 Hijrah). Its real name is Mafatih al-Ghayb, but is popularly known as Tafsir Kabir’. Imam Razi is an imam of the theology of Islam, therefore, great emphasis has been laid in his Tafseer on rational and scholastic debates and on the refutation of false sects’.

7 . Tafsir Ibn Arabi By Muhiyddin Muhammad Ibn Arabi, Arabic

top ten books for Tafseer

A . Author : Shaykh Muhyiddin Muhammad Ibn ‘Arabi, d. 638 AH

B . About The Book

Short yet complete commentary on the Holy Quran.

Ibn Arabi’s works differ from other Quranic commentaries (Tafasir) by the fact that in addition to presenting the exoteric explanation for every verse, it also included esoteric commentary (Ishara) which related each verse to the mystic path of Islam, Sufism

8. Sahih al-Musnad min Asbab al-Nuzul

A . Author : Imam Muqbmil ibn Hadi al-Wadi’i

B . About book

The authentic hadith on the reasons for the revelation of the verses (suras) of the Quran. also Organized in the order of the suras.

9. Ahkam al-Quran, 4V, Arabic, Qadi Abu Bakr Ibn Al Arabi Al-Malik

A . About The Author

Ibn al-Arabi (Arabic: was an Islamic scholar from Spain. It is reported that he was a student of Al-Ghazali for some time. He was also a master of Al-Maliki Jurisprudence. His father was a student of Ibn Hazm although Ibn al-Arabi considered him to have deviated. He also contributed to the spread of Ash’ari theology in Spain

B. About The Book

Extensive studies book on the Ahkamul Quran.

verses that pertain to rulings of Islam. One of the most celebrated and well-used books in Islam by all the scholars who came after this great imam.

His interpretation has been published in four volumes and contains commentary on the legal rulings of the Quran according to the Maliki school.

10. FATH AL-QADEER (IMAM SHAWKAANEE’S TAFSEER)

Author : Ash-Shawkani (1255H)

Finally the famous Tafsir of Imam Ash-Shawkani entitled Fath al-Qadir. so This Tafsir is, highly recommended by our contemporary scholars;

It contains particular linguistic and grammatical explanations of verses.

For parents and learners in the UK and US, helping children with the ten books of Tafseer can often feel challenging due to time constraints and lack of structured guidance. That’s why we’ve created a simple, interactive solution that allows you and your child to learn about the ten books of Tafseer in a smart and engaging way. Your child can join E-aalim, learn the Quran, Islamic studies and learn about ten books of Tafseer. This method strengthens focus, builds confidence, and turns Quran Tafseer, reading and memorization into an enjoyable daily habit — all from the comfort of your home.

Start your child’s journey in learning about the ten books of Tafseer online with the E-aalim today with our interactive technique and expert guidance. We offer 2 FREE trial classes with qualified efficient Islamic studies’ teachers from Al-Azhar, so you can choose the perfect teacher for your child.

Book your 2 free trials now and see the difference from the first lesson!