Tafsir al-Uthaymin: al-Maida
- Author died
- 1421 AH
- Editions
- Dār Ibn al-Jawzī lil-Nashr wa-al-Tawzīʿ
Tafsir al-Uthaymin: al-Maida (Arabic: تفسير القرآن الكريم: سورة المائدة) is a multi-volume Quranic exegesis of Surah al-Ma'ida (Chapter 5) by the Saudi scholar Ibn Uthaymin (1347–1421 AH / 1929–2001 CE) . The work focuses on the linguistic meanings, theological tenets, and jurisprudence derived from the chapter .
Background and Composition
The book originated from the regular teaching sessions and audio-recorded lectures delivered by Ibn Uthaymin at the Grand Mosque in the city of Unayzah . These oral lessons were subsequently transcribed, edited, and published under the supervision of his charitable foundation and published by Dar Ibn al-Jawzi in Saudi Arabia .
Structure and Scope
The commentary proceeds sequentially through the 120 verses of Surah al-Ma'ida, opening with verse 1: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَوْفُوا بِالْعُقُودِ ("O you who have believed, fulfill all contracts") . The work was published in two volumes, with the second volume opening at verse 51: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَى أَوْلِيَاءَ ("O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies") .
At the beginning of the surah, the author highlights that it is a Medinan surah revealed after the Hijrah, representing one of the final portions of the Quran to be revealed, and notes that its legal rulings remain fully operative (muhkam) without abrogation .
Methodology and Content
Ibn Uthaymin adopts a pedagogical method that combines linguistic explanation, doctrinal exposition, and the detailed deduction of legal principles (istinbat):
- Linguistic and Rhetorical Analysis: He clarifies the literal meanings of terms and explains rhetorical devices, such as why divine commands are frequently prefaced with the vocative address to believers to alert the listener and emphasize that genuine faith demands compliance with the ensuing directive .
- Theological Distinctions: The commentary systematically explains creedal concepts, such as distinguishing between Allah's universal cosmic will (al-iradah al-kawnaiyyah) and His legislative will (al-iradah al-shar'iyyah) when expounding divine decrees and commands .
- Extraction of Legal Rulings and Benefits: After explaining the text of each verse, the author enumerates a structured list of deductions under the heading "From the benefits of the noble verse" (min fawa'id al-ayah al-karimah) . For instance, in his commentary on the command to fulfill contracts, he discusses the validity of contracts concluded through unstated mutual conduct (al-mu'atah), such as modern commercial transactions and public transportation, as well as marriage contracts and conditional stipulations .
Publication
The work was printed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by Dar Ibn al-Jawzi, with its second edition appearing in 1435 AH .
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