TAFSĪR is an Arabic word meaning "interpretation"; it is, more specifically, the general term used in reference to all genres of literature which are commentaries upon the Qurʾān. The word tafsīr is used only...

A tafsir (Arabic: تفسير, tafsīr, "interpretation") is an Arabic exegesis or commentary, usually of the Qur'an. Someone who writes tafsir is a mufassir (Arabic: مفسر, mufassir, plural: مفسرون, mufassirūn). if (window.showTocToggle) {...

The Formation of the Classical Tafsir Tradition: The Qur'an Commentary of al-Tha'labi (d. 427/1035). By WALID SALEH. Leiden: BRILL, 2004. Pp. 282. $100. With The Formation of the Classical Tafsir Tradition, Walid Saleh has made a fine contribution to recent studies on...

When asked why he would not write a Qur'an commentary, Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (d. 505/1111) is said to have replied, "What our teacher al-Wahidi wrote suffices." This story was first reported by al-Yafi'i (d. 768/1367), who did not divulge the identity of his...