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Methods of interpreters

Course Description: This course introduces the science of Quranic exegesis (Tafsir) methodologies, its origins, importance, and key works. It covers the stages of Tafsir, generations of exegetes, the compilation of Tafsir, methodologies of Tafsir, and schools of Tafsir (narrative, linguistic, jurisprudential, scientific, allegorical, and social), as well as deviant approaches in Tafsir.

Credit hours: 3

Objectives of the course :

The student can distinguish between different interpretive methodologies and critically analyze them, exposing deviant interpretive trends, warning against them, and refuting them.

Course outputs :

Knowledge and understanding:
To meticulously explain the origin of tafsir, and its traditional and contemporary books, along with the methodologies of the mufassirun within them.
To review the modern research methodologies used in the approaches of commentators.
Skills:
To compare the approaches of exegetes, and the rules and premises that each exegete relied on in his interpretation.
To evaluate interpretive methodologies and the most important contemporary research in the methodologies of interpreters.
Values, autonomy and responsibility:
To practice teamwork and team leadership effectively and positively.
To adhere to the etiquette of dialogue, the ethics of a researcher, and scientific integrity in his/her research.
To issue fair and sound rulings and decisions, based on knowledge, and founded on firm principles.

Additional information:

Course Topics:
Introduction:
– Introduction to the Science of Tafsir Methodologies.
The emergence and development of the science of exegesis methodologies.
The importance of knowing the exegetes' methodologies.
Methods for knowing the methodologies of Quranic exegetes.
- Works in the science of interpretive methodologies.
Stages of Tafsir and Levels of Mufassirun
– Definition of class and its meaning.
The most famous works in the science of commentators' layers.
– Introduction to the most important stages and the exegetes involved in them.
Interpretation notation
A. The first commentaries during the first century to the end of the second century.
b. Exegesis Commentaries in the Third Century.
C. Writing down the tafsir after the 3rd century.
Interpretation Methods
(Analytical, Holistic, Comparative, Objective), and practical applications of these methods.
Interpretation trends:
– What is meant by it. Its origin. And the reasons for its appearance.
And the difference between methodology and trend.
The Archeological Trend (Novelistic):
– Its meaning, its origin and development. Its types, and its sources.
– A systematic study of the following books:
– Tafsir al-Tabari.
Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azim by Ibn Abi Hatim.
– Tafsir Al-Durr Al-Manthur by Al-Suyuti.
- Tafsir al-Qur'an al-'Azim by Ibn Kathir.
Linguistic direction:
- It refers to its origin and development.
The impact of relying on it in interpretation.
– A systematic study of the following books:
A/ Regarding vocabulary: - Majaz al-Qur'an by Abu Ubaidah - Mufradat Alfaz al-Qur'an by Al-Raghib al-Isfahani.
B/ With regard to grammar and parsing:
– Meanings of the Qur'an by Al-Farra - The Vast Ocean by Abu Hayyan
Q/ Regarding rhetorical devices:
– Al-Kashshaf by Al-Zamakhshari _ Tafsir Ibn 'Arafah.
– Revision and Enlightenment by al-Ṭāhir ibn ʿĀshūr.
Jurisprudence approach (interpretation of verses of rulings):
– Its meaning, its origin and development, its value and impact, and the reasons for its emergence.
– Prominent works in it, and the difference between advanced and contemporary jurisprudential interpretations.
– A systematic study of the book: Ahkam al-Qur'an by Ibn al-Arabi.
– A Methodical Study of the Book: Adwa' al-Bayan by Al-Shinqiti.
Scientific trend
– Desired. And the reasons for its emergence.
The difference between scientific miraculousness and scientific interpretation.
– The scholars' stances towards it.
A Methodical Study of the Book: Al-Jawahir fi Tafsir al-Qur'an by Tantawi Jawhari.
A systematic study of contemporary research in the scientific direction.
Signal direction
– Its meaning. Its types. And its conditions.
– The scholars' stances towards it.
A Methodical Study of the Book: Lata'if al-Isharat by Al-Qushayri.
A Methodological Study of the Book: Ruh al-Ma'ani by Al-Alusi.
The Social (Reformist) Trend:
– what is meant by it. Its causes of emergence. And its most prominent features.
A Methodological Study of the Book: Tafsir al-Manar, by Muhammad Rashid Rida.
A Systematic Study of the Book: "Select Islamic Records and Concepts" by Al-Dawsari.
Deviant Trends in Interpretation (their meaning and the most famous interpretations written about them):
1. The interpretation of Ghulat Sufis.
2. Shi'ite interpretation.
3. The Mu'tazila Interpretation.
4. Interpretation of the Kharijites.
5. Interpretation of the Modern Rationalist School.
6. Modernist Exegesis (Contemporary Readings of the Holy Quran).

Last updated: 2026-06-15