Learning Quran is the expression of Allah Almighty to comprehend it properly, an individual needs to increase their knowledge. They need to open their minds and intellectual ability to gain the absolute truth. This knowledge when accumulated, at that point can the person begin to understand the message of Allah passed on.

The Tafsir of the Quran is done by no ordinary person with basic astuteness and comprehension of Islam. Rather it is done by individuals after obtaining broad intellect and information about Islam. A writer of Tafsir is a Mufassir.

Although Muslims read the Quran and pursue it with interpretation regularly, the reading of Tafsir has its significance. The goal of a Tafsir is to discover the genuine implications of the sections/chapters of the Quran.

So the question arises; what is Tafsir? Tafsir is the exegesis of the Quran which is a critical interpretation of the scripture. Here are a few interpretations of Tafsir by different Islamic scholars;

What is Tafsir?

Al-Khalil Ibn Ahmad Al-Farahidi – Kitab Al Ayn:

Tafsir is an Arabic word تفسير which derives from the root word ‘Fassara. Fassara intends to clarify, elucidate, expound, explain or decipher. It further implies the clarification or translation of something.

Az Zarkahsee – Al Burhan Fi Uloom Al Quran:

As indicated by another’s assessment; the word Tafsir is a transposition of s-f-r which intends to open/expose or to reveal. Along these lines; Tafsir of the Quran would mean revealing the implications and uncovering the ramifications of the Quran.

How to learn the Tafsir of the Quran?

Firstly you need to understand what tafseer is and why it is important, then follow these steps to get a clear answer.

• Hire a teacher from a reliable forum like Hidayah Network. 
• Make sure the teachers are Sunni Muslim so you can learn the authentic Tafseer.
• Choose any Tafseer book from the top 3 Among the best ones. Tafseer Ibn-Kathir is known to be the best Tafsir book so far.
• Schedule your class after getting a proper plan from the teacher.
• Learn the details of the surahs in Tafseer

What is Tafsir in Islamic studies?

Tafseer is the interpretation of the holy Quran that is best done in Arabic, then in other languages for people to understand easily in their native languages. Tafseer is the science of giving a detailed summary of each Ayah as every Ayah has a different cause and time of revelation. Reading and reciting Quran are rewarding tasks but learning the meaning and tafseer of the Quran is highly beneficial to understanding the purpose of life and how to act upon the principles of Islam.

Reasons Why Learning Tafsir Is Important in Islam

In this article, we discuss reasons why learning the Tafsir of the Quran is important and essential for a Muslim:

1-To Help Worship While following the Quran

The Quran is the absolute truth, the only scripture valid and unwavering till the Day of Judgment. Tafsir of the Quran makes it easier for any individual to understand the Quran better.

As said by the Prophet (SAWW) in his last sermon: “I leave behind me two things, the Quran and the Sunnah (Hadith), and if you follow these you will never go astray.”

This hadith proves that reading and understanding the Quran is key to a steadfast life under the guidance of Allah, after the Prophet’s (SAWW) demise.

Moreover, to study the five pillars (fundamental principles) of Islam all Muslims must learn the Tafsir of the Quran. A person who learns Tafsir will be capable of performing these with the correct parity and utmost devotion.

Shahadah i.e. the declaration of faith.

“There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.”

Salat i.e. prayer five times a day.

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “When anyone of you stands to pray, he is communicating with his Lord, so let him pay attention to how he speaks to Him.”

As mentioned in the Quran: “O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” (Quran 2:153)

Sawm i.e. fasting in the month of Ramadan.

The Quran states: “Oh ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed  for you even as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may reach attainment.”

Zakat i.e. giving charity in the way of Allah.

“The alms are only for the poor or needy; and the destitute, those employed to collect Zakat. To attract the hearts of those who have been inclined towards Islam, to free the captives; and for those in debt;  for Allah’s Cause;  for the wayfarer, a traveler who is cut off from everything; a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.” [Quran 9:60]

Hajj i.e. pilgrimage by visiting the holy Ka’aba.

In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty Says: “Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and guidance for Al-‘Alamin (the mankind and jinns).

2-To Perform Daily Practices (Salah) With Concentration and Humility

When an individual performs Salah multiple times a day, there are odds of not being exact or correct. He likewise may get occupied with numerous considerations of his interests, plans, and problems that are running through his mind.

This can be avoided when the individual is aware of the importance and meaning of each verse that he recites in his petition. This would not only assist the individual to have khushoo and khuzoo in his supplication but he will have developed a solid bond between him and Allah. This is achievable when a person learns Tafsir.

3-For a Better Understanding of the Quran by Non-Arabic Individuals.

Allah uses the clearest, smooth, and brief language in the Quran, and in doing so the importance and meaning are obvious to those individuals who know the Arabic language or descend from the Arabian dialect.

However, the Quran will not be as easy to understand by people who are not Arabic. For this purpose, the learning of Tafsir is necessary for all individuals of the Muslim Ummah.

Iyaas ibn Mu’aawiyah (d. 122 A.H.) once said,

“The individual who recounts the Quran and doesn’t have a clue about its clarification/ explanation resembles a gathering of individuals who have a composed message from their ruler that comes to them during the night, and they don’t have a lamp to read it.

Therefore, they don’t have the foggiest idea of what is in the message. The example of the one who knows Tafsir resembles an individual who comes to them with a light and tells them what is in the message”

4-To Construct an Everlasting Bond with Our Creator

Closeness to Allah in the Quran has been focused on, on various occasions, and has made to mean various things in a similar way that Allah is with you consistently. Nonetheless, there is a wide range of meanings of the term closeness to Allah.

As mentioned in the Quran: “And indeed We have created man, and We know whatever thoughts his inner self develops, and We are closer to him than (his) jugular vein.” [Quran 50:16].

Learning Tafsir develops a bond in a believer’s heart with the creator far deeper than reading or memorizing the Quran does. It pushes one’s heart and mind closer toward the word of Allah and forces us to stay on a straight and righteous path.

5-To Explain the Accurate Meaning of the Words of the Quran

Abu Abdur Rahman Sulami stated, “We were educated by the individuals who used to teach us the Quran, (Uthman Bin Affan, Ibn Masud) and others, that they would learn ten verses one after another from the Prophet(SAWW) and they would not go past them until they had learned the meaning and application of these verses. They stated so we learned the Quran alongside the meaning and application.”

Following the above example, an individual can permit some time in his everyday life to peruse the Quran in Arabic. He can also focus on the importance and hidden meaning behind certain words/verses that Allah has used. He can read and learn Tafsir in whichever language he feels to comprehend it better. This will prove to be a successful method of applying the information in the Quran in one’s life.

In any case, tragically, people these days imagine that they have satisfied the privileges of the Quran by perusing it without understanding the genuine motivation behind its words. May Allah direct us all to comprehend the genuine substance of our religion through the lessons of the Quran and Hadith.

6-For the Perfection of Character and Conduct of a Person

Throughout the Quran, Allah has utilized closeness to him as a path to achieve Jannah and to provide a solution for the considerable number of issues and torments of this flawed world. It is the complete and comprehensive guide to living life under Allah’s command.

With this impact, Hasan Al-Banna, a renowned Islamic scholar, says, “A Muslim ought to endeavor to accomplish a strong body, great character, refined idea. He ought to have the option to procure a living, have unadulterated conviction, and have the right to worship. He ought to have the option to control his wants, be cautious about his time, sorted out his issues, and be helpful to everyone around him. These involve the obligations of each Muslim as a person.”

For the perfection of one’s character and conduct reading the Quran is significant, learning of Tafsir is extremely important to understand the meaning behind His words which will in turn help in implementation.

7-To Establish Rules to Govern Individual and Familial Relations

Fiqh is an Islamic jurisprudence or the understanding of an individual regarding Sharia. It is a compilation of Islamic law which is done under great consideration by using The Quran. Many familial relations such as the distribution of wealth and nikkah (marriage agreement) are all done while keeping in mind the teachings of the Quran. This, however, is only achieved when the people in charge of making laws i.e. the Islamic council know the Tafsir of the Quran.

The Quran mentions “Indeed We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims”. [Quran 16:89]

8-Establishment of Laws to Govern an Islamic Community

Similarly to the above reason, the Quran is the chief source of Islamic law, the Sharia. It contains the principles by which the Muslim world is administered and structures the reason for relations among man and God, between people, regardless of whether Muslim or non-Muslim and among man and things which are also considered as creations. The Sharia contains the standards by which a Muslim society is sorted and run. It also gives a way to resolve conflict among people and between the person and the state.

Now until and unless the council of people does not know Tafsir and doesn’t know the in-depth meaning behind the words of the Almighty, they will not be able to construct proper rules and regulations keeping in mind Allah’s command.

9-To learn About the History of Our Religion

Allah Almighty has told many stories in the Quran these include stories of past Prophets and their Ummah, miracles of Prophets, the miracle of our Last Prophet Muhammad (SAWW), and many more. To understand and learn the lessons behind these stories one needs to learn the Tafsir of the Quran.

An example is the story of Prophet Musa; Almighty Allah mentions his story in different chapters of the Holy Scripture: “Then the household of Pharaoh picked him up, that he might become for them an enemy and a (cause of) grief Verily! Pharaoh, Haman, and their hosts were sinners”.

 And the wife of Pharaoh said: “A comfort of the eye for me and you. Kill him not, perhaps he may be of benefit to us, or we may adopt him as a son. ” And they perceived not (the result of that).” [Quran 28: 9]

Most Islamic history books are in Arabic so if you do not know Arabic then learn Arabic online to get proper Islamic knowledge with online Islamic classes or reading Islamic history books.

10-Clear knowledge to Invite People to Islam

At the point when an individual needs to invite other individuals towards Islam. He ought to have a legitimate and clear interpretation and knowledge of Islam. Through learning Tafsir of the Quran and having an ample understanding of Hadith.

He will only give direction, examples, proper guidance, and ethics of the lessons in the Quran while doing da’wah when he has the fundamental knowledge about the lessons in the Quran.

“Verily this Quran leads to the path that is most right” [Quran 17:9]

Verses like these will encourage and motivate people along with other comprehensive explanations to accept Islam; the person who invites other people needs to have complete knowledge of all aspects to help him in his mission.

What are the 5 Methods of Tafseer?

To understand Quran, we have 5 methods from which the top 2 are enough to comprehend, but if the first two lack the details you can move on to the next methods.

1- Tafseer of Quran by Quran.

2- Tafseer of Quran by Sunnah.

3- Tafseer of Quran by companions of Prophet SAWW.

4- Tafseer of Quran by Language.

5- Tafseer of Quran by Opinion of Esteemed scholars.

What is the Principle of Tafseer?

The primary principle of Tafseer of the Quran is for the Mualim (a teacher who is teaching tafseer) to be highly knowledgeable. 

• The tutor must be well-read in Quran Tafseer from different books of Authentic references.
• He must be able to teach with examples from the Quran, Sunnah, the lives of Sahaba (companions), and tabieen (people who came after Sahabas). 
• He must have read the hadith books in detail to give relevant examples.
• He must be a practicing Muslim.

Final Thoughts

Quran is in Arabic since it is the most extensive and far-reaching language that has words with different pitches and emphasis. The words are exact and have lavishness in their significance. It additionally has a one-of-a-kind nature of storing and delivering countless messages in a couple of words. This implies that a solitary expression or a sentence would encapsulate incalculable meaning within it. In the end learning, Tafsir is significant while reading and memorizing the Quran.