al-Kifaya fi al-Tafsir bil-Mathur wa al-Diraya
- Author died
- -
- Editions
- Dar Al-Qalam
al-Kifaya fi al-Tafsir bil-Mathur wa al-Diraya (الكفاية في التفسير بالمأثور والدراية, "The Sufficiency in Quranic Exegesis through Transmitted Tradition and Rational Analysis") is a contemporary multi-volume Quranic commentary by Dr. Abd Allah Khadr Hamad, published in 1438 AH / 2017 CE.
Scope and Structure
The work is organized sequentially following the traditional order of the Quranic chapters (surahs). The published volumes divide the text across distinct sections:
- Volume 1: General introduction, methodological preliminary, and the exegesis of Surah al-Fatiha.
- Volume 2: Surah al-Baqarah, verses 1–90.
- Volume 3: Surah al-Baqarah, verses 91–170.
- Volume 4: Surah al-Baqarah, verses 171–227.
- Volume 5: Surah al-Baqarah, verses 228–286.
- Volume 6: Surah Al Imran, verses 1–200.
- Volume 7: Surah al-Nisa, verses 1–176.
- Volume 8: Begins with Surah al-Ma'ida, verse 1.
Methodology and Sources
In his introductory discourse, Hamad outlines the classifications of Quranic exegesis, contrasting approaches reliant purely on transmitted traditions (al-riwaya) with those founded on intellectual analysis (al-diraya), and advocates combining both methods. He identifies the primary hierarchy of sound interpretation as:
- Interpreting the Quran by the Quran itself.
- Interpreting the Quran through the prophetic Sunnah, citing rulings and sayings from classical authorities such as al-Shafi'i, al-Tabari, Ibn Taymiyya, and al-Shatibi.
- Turning to the statements and interpretations of the Companions, emphasizing figures such as Abd Allah ibn Mas'ud and Abd Allah ibn Abbas due to their direct knowledge of the circumstances of revelation.
Throughout the commentary, the author extracts rhetorical insights (balagha), legal rulings, and theological points from the verses, occasionally referring readers to relevant classical treatises such as Ibn al-Qayyim's Madarij al-Salikin or quoting classical authorities such as al-Khattabi on the divine attributes.
Publication
The first edition of the commentary was published in 1438 AH / 2017 CE by Dar al-Qalam in Beirut, Lebanon.
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