Page 3 - Tafsir of surat at tawba repentance

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INTRODUCTION

T title of Interpretation), essentially refers The the branches of Principles of
this
book, Usool
at-Tafseer (lit.
Fundamental
he
knowledge
to
Qur’aanic
which are necessary to provide an accurate interpretation of the Qur’aanic
texts, such as Arabic grammar and syntax, Arabic literature and Qur’aanic
sciences (‘uloom al-Qur’aan). Familiarity with modern fields of learning, like the
pure sciences and social sciences, is also necessary for a commentator in this era
to make the Qur’aanic explanations relevant to modern human society. Usool at-
Tafseer addresses the actual step-by-step methodology of interpreting the Qur’aan
to ensure that interpretations are not merely the result of human whims and
fancies. These subjects were traditionally mentioned in the books of usool al-fiqh
(The Fundamental Principles of Islaamic Law) and the introductions to the
classical books of Tafseer.
Among the most well known early works dedicated to the subject of Usool
at-Tafseer is a treatise called Muqaddimah fee Usool at-Tafseer, 1 done by the
outstanding scholar of the 13th century CE, Ibn Taymeeyah. 2 Of the latter day
works, that of the Indian scholar, ‘Abdul-Hameed al-Faraahee, is perhaps the
3
most notable. He entitled his work, at-Takmeel fee Usool at-Ta’weel.
The more commonly used term, ‘uloom al-Qur’aan, refers to all the fields of
knowledge which serve to elucidate the Qur’aan or which are derived from it.
Included among them are knowledge of tafseer (exegesis), qiraa’aat (recitations),
ar-rasmul-‘Uthmaanee (the ‘Uthmaanic script), i‘jaaz al-Qur’aan (miraculous
aspects of the Qur’aan), asbaab an-nuzool (reasons for revelation), an-naasikh
wal-mansookh (abrogating and abrogated verses), i‘raab al-Qur’aan (Qur’aanic
grammar), ghareeb al-Qur’aan (unusual Qur’aanic terms), religious rulings, and
4
Arabic language and literature.
During the era of book compilation, many books were written in the various
areas of ‘uloom al-Qur’aan. Concern was first focused on the field of tafseer,
since all the various Qur’aanic sciences are utilized in it. Among the early writers
of the 8th century CE were Shu‘bah ibn al-Hajjaaj, Sufyaan ibn ‘Uyaynah and

1
It was translated by Dr. M. Abdul Haq Ansari for Imaam Ibn Sa‘ood Islamic University in
Riyadh and later reprinted in England by Al-Hidaayah Press under the title, An Introduction to the
Principles of Tafseer.
2
Born 661 AH/1262 CE; died 728 AH/1327 CE.
3
Lamahaat fee ‘Uloom al-Qur’aan, pp. 191-2.
4
Manaahil al-‘Irfaan fee ‘Uloom al-Qur’aan, p. 16.

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