About the Study
"And We have revealed the Book to you explaining clearly everything, and a guidance and mercy and good news for those who submit" (16:89)
In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
The Qur’an occupies a central and unparalleled place in the life of a Muslim. It is the Book of guidance, the eternal word of Allah (s.w.t.), and the light by which hearts are illuminated and societies are reformed. This process of uncovering and clarifying the meanings of the Qur’an is known as tafsīr—meaning explanation, clarification, and illumination.
The aim of this study is to present a comparison of the works of some prominent Muslim exegetes with respect to selected Qur’anic verses that have been the subject of divisions and discussions among Muslims. By setting these interpretations side by side, this study hopes to shed light on both the points of divergence and the underlying principles of unity.
Methodological Foundations
The Qur’an explains itself
Interpretation begins from within the Qur’an itself by connecting verses and recurring themes.
Internal Consistency
No interpretation should contradict the Qur’an as a whole; unity and coherence are essential.
Tradition as a Supplement
Ahādīth support interpretation but are evaluated through the Qur’an as the criterion.
Contextual Necessity
Verses must be understood within their surrounding passages and thematic structure.
Clarity over Ambiguity
Ambiguous verses are clarified through decisive ones with knowledge and humility.
Selected Scholarly Voices
Ibn Kathīr
Classical Sunni tradition.
Al-Qurṭubī
Juridical insights and legal reasoning.
Al-Rāzī
Philosophical and theological depth.
Al-Ṭabarsī
Linguistic precision and sectarian discourse.
Mawdūdī
Modern socio-political interpretation.
Ṭabāṭabāʾī
Philosophical and theological approach.
Official Disclaimer
Some of the tafsīr works referenced in this study are not fully available in English. In such cases, the relevant passages have been translated directly from the original Arabic sources and then summarised for the purposes of comparative analysis.
While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and fidelity to the original texts, these translations and summaries remain human efforts and are therefore susceptible to inadvertent errors. They should not be treated as definitive substitutes for the original Arabic works.