Tafsir Ibn Juzi = al-Tashil li Ulum al-Tanzil
- Author died
- 741 AH
- Editions
- Sharikat Dār al-Arqam ibn Abī al-Arqam
Al-Tashil li-Ulum al-Tanzil (The Facilitation of the Sciences of Revelation), commonly known as Tafsir Ibn Juzayy, is a concise Quranic commentary written by the Granadan scholar Abu al-Qasim Ibn Juzayy al-Kalbi (693–741 AH / 1294–1340 CE) . It is considered one of his final works, combining traditional exegetical transmissions with linguistic and analytical evaluation in an abridged format .
Objectives and Scope
In his general preface, Ibn Juzayy states that he composed the book after examining earlier works of Quranic exegesis (tafsir), seeking to produce a work that is both succinct and comprehensive . He formulated four primary objectives for the commentary:
- Condensation: Gathering extensive knowledge from voluminous source works into a compact volume by summarizing, refining, and omitting superfluous additions .
- Inclusion of rare insights: Recording subtle points and uncommon benefits (nukat 'ajiba wa-fawa'id ghariba) derived from his own reflections, received from his teachers, or extracted from rare manuscripts .
- Clarification of ambiguities: Resolving intricate interpretive difficulties and clearing up ambiguous formulations .
- Verification and weighing of opinions: Sifting sound interpretations from unsound ones and distinguishing preferred (rajih) views from non-preferred (marjuh) ones based on scholarly principles and the rules of the Arabic language .
Structure
The work is organized sequentially following the standard order of the Quranic surahs, preceded by two extensive introductions:
- The First Introduction: Divided into twelve chapters addressing foundational Quranic sciences, including the history and periodization of revelation, the classification of Meccan and Medinan surahs, the overarching thematic disciplines of the Quran, the twelve branches of knowledge necessary for commentary (such as qira'at, jurisprudence, abrogation, Hadith, theological fundamentals, legal theory, lexicography, syntax, and rhetoric), and the principles of evaluating exegetical disagreements .
- The Second Introduction: Dedicated to the lexicographical explanation of words and expressions that recur frequently throughout the Quran .
Within the body of the commentary, Ibn Juzayy introduces each surah with its name, its classification as Meccan or Medinan, and its verse count, before proceeding to verse-by-verse exegesis .
Methodology and Sources
The commentary's base recitation follows the canonical reading of Nafi' al-Madani (specifically through the transmission of Warsh), which was the standard reading in al-Andalus and North Africa, citing variant readings only when they supply additional meaning or syntactic distinction .
To maintain brevity, Ibn Juzayy avoided lengthy chains of transmission and rarely attributed opinions by name, except to disclaim responsibility for anomalous views or to support an authoritative figure worthy of emulation . When an interpretation met with his own approval, he frequently presented it anonymously as his preferred stance . He instituted a systematic terminology to grade opinions, marking weaker positions as "weak" (da'if), "far-fetched" (ba'id), or simply prefacing them with the passive marker "it was said" (qila) .
Reception and Modern Studies
Al-Tashil has been praised by scholars and commentators for its stylistic clarity, dense presentation of material, and balance between traditional reports and linguistic analysis . His student, the Granadan statesman Lisan al-Din Ibn al-Khatib, commended Ibn Juzayy's scholarly writings, which contributed to their preservation .
In modern scholarship, the work has been the subject of dedicated analytical studies, including Ali Muhammad al-Zubayri's monograph Ibn Juzayy wa-Manhajuhu fi al-Tafsir (Ibn Juzayy and His Method in Exegesis) . It has also received specialized commentaries, such as Musa'id al-Tayyar's Sharh Muqaddamat al-Tashil li-Ulum al-Tanzil on its introductory chapters, and Abd al-Rahman ibn Nasir al-Barrak's annotations on its creedal discussions .
Answer updated