Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Tafsir Ibn Kathir, formally titled Tafsir al-Qur'an al-'Azim (Interpretation of the Great Quran), is a classical commentary on the Quran authored by the Damascene Shafi'i scholar Ibn Kathir (d. 774 AH / 1373 CE) Maqalat Mawqi al-Durar al…+1. It is one of the most prominent works of tradition-based exegesis (tafsir bi-al-ma'thur), widely recognized as second in prominence only to the tafsir of al-Tabari Fi Ulum al-Quran Dirasat …+1.

Method and Sources

Ibn Kathir outlines the methodological foundations of his exegesis in an extensive scholarly introduction, drawing heavily upon the work of his teacher Ibn Taymiyyah Fi Ulum al-Quran Dirasat …+1. He establishes a strict hierarchical order for interpretation: explaining the Quran through the Quran itself by cross-referencing related verses, followed by the prophetic Sunnah, then the narrations of the Companions (Sahabah), and finally the sayings of the Successors (Tabi'un) Ulum al-Quran al-Karim - …+1.

In each passage, Ibn Kathir typically begins by stating the general meaning of a verse in concise language before gathering parallel Quranic verses that elucidate or expand on it Fi Ulum al-Quran Dirasat …+1. He then adduces supporting hadiths with their chains of transmission (asandid), frequently drawing upon early hadith compilations such as the Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal, as well as classical tafsir sources including those of Ibn Abi Hatim, Ibn Mardawayh, Abd ibn Humayd, and Ibn al-Mundhir Tafsir Ibn Kathir+1.

As a hadith critic, Ibn Kathir routinely applies the principles of narrator evaluation (jarh wa-ta'dil), verifying or weakening narrations, indicating chains of transmission, and warning against fabricated reports and Isra'iliyyat (extraneous biblical lore) Ulum al-Quran al-Karim - …+1. He addresses legal rulings (ahkam fiqhiyyah), causes of revelation (asbab al-nuzul), and variant readings (qira'at) without excessive grammatical digressions, adhering to the creed of the early generations (al-salaf) regarding divine attributes Sharh Tafsir Ibn Kathir -…+2.

Reception and Critique

The tafsir received widespread praise from classical and modern scholars. Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti remarked that "no commentary on its model has been authored," and al-Shawkani described it as "among the best commentaries, if not the best" Tafsir Ibn Kathir+1. Ahmad Shakir similarly counted it among the finest and most precise works of exegesis after that of al-Tabari Tafsir Ibn Kathir+1.

While lauded for its critical scrutiny of reports, some commentators, such as Muhammad Rashid Rida, noted that Ibn Kathir occasionally cited lengthy or objectionable Isra'iliyyat without fully exhausting their critique or omitting unverified material Mabahith fi Ulum al-Quran…+1.

Abridgments and Publications

Tafsir Ibn Kathir was printed in Bulaq in 1300 AH, published in four large volumes, and printed in a modern critical edition in seven volumes edited by Hikmat ibn Bashir ibn Yasin Maqalat Mawqi al-Durar al…+2.

Due to its popularity, several scholars authored abridgments of the work:

• 'Umdat al-Tafsir, an abridgment by Ahmad Shakir that eliminated isnads, weak reports, and Isra'iliyyat; Shakir published five volumes before his death, reaching verse 8 of Surah al-Anfal Maqalat al-Tanahi Safahat…+1.
• Taysir al-'Aliyy al-Qadir li-Ikhtisar Tafsir Ibn Kathir, a four-volume abridgment by Muhammad Nasib al-Rifa'i al-Dalil ila al-Mutun al-….
• Mukhtasar Tafsir Ibn Kathir by Muhammad 'Ali al-Sabuni al-Dalil ila al-Mutun al-….
• al-Taysir: Khulasat Tafsir Ibn Kathir by Muhammad Kurayyim Rajih al-Dalil ila al-Mutun al-….
• al-Taysir li-Tafsir Ibn Kathir by 'Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Ishaq Al al-Shaykh in four volumes al-Dalil ila al-Mutun al-….