The development of tafsir from the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) down to Ibn Kathir

Fadzli, Adam and Asyraf, Ab Rahman and Firdaus Khairi, Abdul Kadir (2017) The development of tafsir from the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) down to Ibn Kathir. The Social Sciences, 12 (7). pp. 1184-1190. ISSN 1819-5800

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Abstract

This study discusses and examines the historical development of tafsir since the early Islam of the seventh century down to the time of Ibn Kathir in the 13th century. Between these periods, the study of tafsir gradually gained in vitality when the people of Mecca, initially the Prophet's companions, began to devote their lives to the study of the Quran, memorizing the text word for word to arrive at a clear understanding of its meaning and implication. Further discussion will concern the role played by scholars of the 13th century including Ibn Kathir in the progress of tafsir. These men produced a great variety of books as an indication of their enthusiasm in this field. Using content analysis technique of secondary data and a descriptive approach, the development of the science of tafsir or Quranic commentaries since the Prophet’s time down to Ibn Kathir’s era are analysed and described objectively and systematically. The study has revealed a large number of attempts have been made by Muslim scholars to interpret the Quran in order to fulfil the needs of individuals and Muslim society in general. However, guidance and basic principles handed down by Prophet and his companions must still be observed for the correct interpretation of the Quran. The works of all mufassirunin Quranic exegesis should also be appreciated and remembered by later generations, in order to remain aware of the true meaning of the book of God, the Quran upon which all exegesis and explanation rests.

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