Tafsir al-Uthaymin: Al Imran

Author died
1421 AH
Editions
Dār Ibn al-Jawzī lil-Nashr wa-al-Tawzīʿ

Tafsir al-Uthaymin: Al Imran (Arabic: تفسير سورة آل عمران) is an exegesis of Surat Al Imran (the third chapter of the Quran) by the Saudi scholar Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymin (1347–1421 AH / 1929–2001 CE), transcribed from his recorded lectures .

Composition and Context

The commentary originated as a series of audio-recorded lectures delivered by al-Uthaymin during his regular study circles at the Grand Mosque (al-Jami al-Kabir) in Unayzah, Saudi Arabia . The sessions dedicated to Surat Al Imran began in the Islamic month of Rajab 1409 AH and concluded in Shawwal 1412 AH . These lectures were delivered as part of his independent, general exegesis curriculum—in which he expounded the Quran sequentially from the beginning without adhering to a specific classical manual—separate from another exegesis course he conducted using Tafsir al-Jalalayn as a base text .

Methodology and Content

The work follows the sequential order of Surat Al Imran, examining each verse or group of verses through several analytical steps :

  • Grammar and Linguistics: Al-Uthaymin begins by breaking down the grammatical parsing (i‘rab) of clauses and particles, explaining rhetorical structures and lexical meanings in clear language .
  • Evidence-Based Evaluation: He articulates scholarly opinions on interpretive differences and selects the preponderant position (al-qawl al-rajih) supported by textual evidence and sound reasoning .
  • Theological Expansions: In doctrinal verses, he elaborates upon creedal principles according to the Sunni tradition, including the implications of divine names and attributes (such as al-Hayy, al-Qayyum, al-Sami‘, and al-‘Alim), their modes of signification (dalalat al-mutabaqa, al-tadammun, and al-istilzam), and definitions of theological terms such as faith (iman), highlighting that belief requires internal assent and submission .
  • Extraction of Rulings and Lessons: Following the explanation of each passage, he provides an itemized deduction of legal rulings (ahkam) and practical, moral, or doctrinal benefits (fawa'id) derived directly from the text .

Publication

The transcription, collation, and editing of the audio recordings were carried out posthumously by a group of al-Uthaymin's students in accordance with the editorial guidelines and directions he had established during his lifetime . The text was reviewed and finalized by the Scientific Committee of the Shaykh Muhammad bin Saleh Al-Uthaymeen Charitable Foundation on 20 Rabi‘ al-Awwal 1426 AH .

The first edition was published in 1426 AH (2005 CE) by Dar Ibn al-Jawzi in Dammam, with subsequent reprints and editions issued under the Foundation's auspices, including a third edition in 1435 AH .

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