An Introduction to Tafsir

Tafsir is the science of the explanation of the Qur’an. The Holy Qur’an is a book that should be read and understood, its verses meditated upon and its teachings applied. However, the breadth of its content, the nuances of its terms, its literary artistry, and especially, the equivocation of its statements when it relates to aspects of the higher realms which are beyond our conceptual framework, all necessitate the need for an explanation. Tafsir is our endeavour to find that explanation. Literally meaning disclosing and unveiling, tafsir is the knowledge that tries to remove the veil from the face of the expressions of the Qur’an and clarify the intended meaning of its verses as much as the human capacity allows. As such, the practice of interpreting the Quran has been fundamental to the study of Islam from its very beginning.

Tafsir should not be confused with ta’wil. Although some early scholars used ta’wil as synonymous with tafsir, however, in later usage, tafsir is used to refer to the clarification of the external meaning of the expressions of the Qur’an, while ta’wil is used for the extraction of their hidden and esoteric meanings.