In this introduction to his tafsir, al-Qurtubi provides a general introduction to all the matters necessary for knowledge of the Noble Qur'an.

The tafsīr of al-Qurṭubī is perhaps one of the most compendious of them all and is certainly among the most famous. As its title, al-Jāmi' li Aḥkām al-Qur'ān - The General Judgments of the Qur'an, suggests, its main focus is on the rulings and judgments to be found in the Qur'ān. However, in the course of doing that, al-Qurṭubī examines all the relevant sciences necessary, such as the ḥadīth pertaining to the āyahs, events in the sīrah, what the Companions, their Followers and other noted people of knowledge said about the āyahs, essential aspects of Arabic etymology, syntax and usage, copiously illustrated by examples, and much more. In this volume, the author examines the Fātiḥah in great depth, and then works through the first juz' (two ḥizbs), stopping to examine linguistic matters, aḥkām/judgments in greater detail, covering, for example, īmān, establishment of the ṣalāt, zakāt, hypocrisy, the Tribe of Israel, the creation of Adam and Ḥawwā', caliphate, abrogation, and including the pivotal story of the sacrifice of the cow by the Tribe of Israel.

Major topics in this volume include extensive exposition of matters surrounding the battle of Uḥud, dhikr of Allah and reflection on His creation, and the laws of inheritance.

The tafsīr of al-Qurṭubī is perhaps one of the most compendious of them all and is certainly among the most famous. As its title, al-Jāmi' li Aḥkām al-Qur'ān - The General Judgments of the Qur'an, suggests, its main focus is on the rulings and judgments to be found in the Qur'ān. However, in the course of doing that, al-Qurṭubī examines all the relevant sciences necessary, such as the ḥadīth pertaining to the āyahs, events in the sīrah, what the Companions, their Followers and other noted people of knowledge said about the āyahs, essential aspects of Arabic etymology, syntax and usage, copiously illustrated by examples, and much more. This volume covers Sūrat al-Mā'idah in its entirety. Among its subjects are the āyāts on dietary matters. The sūrah also recounts the primordial event of the two sons of Adam and their strife. Perhaps the most substantial section is a sustained address to the People of the Book while also considering many issues to do with Muslims' relations with them. Then there is the great āyat announcing the completion of the dīn. The sūrah concludes with the account of the Prophet 'Īsā, peace be upon him, and his disciples and of the Table sent down from Heaven.

Kitab Ash-Shifa bi ta'rif huquq al-Mustafa, (Healing by the recognition of the Rights of the Chosen One), of Qadi 'Iyad (d. 544H/1149CE) is perhaps the most frequently used and commented upon handbook in which the Prophet's, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, life, his qualities and his miracles are described in every detail. Generally known by its short title, Ash-Shifa, this work was so highly admired throughout the Muslim world that it soon acquired a sanctity of its own for it is said: "If Ash-Shifa is found in a house, this house will not suffer any harm... when a sick person reads it or it is recited to him, Allah will restore his health." Ash-Shifa gathers together all that is necessary to acquaint the reader with the true stature of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, with the esteem and respect which is due to him, and with the verdict regarding anyone who does not fulfil what his stature demands or who attempts to denigrate his supreme status - even by as much as a nail paring. QADI 'IYAD His full name was Abu al-Fadl 'Iyad ibn Musa ibn 'Iyad ibn 'Imran ibn Musa ibn Muhammad ibn 'Abdullah ibn Musa ibn 'Iyad al-Yahsubi, the famous Imam. He was born in Ceuta in the month of Sha'ban, 496 AH and lived there although his family originated from Andalusia. According to his son, Muhammad, his ancestors originated in Andalusia and then moved to the city of Fes, staying in the Qarawiyyin at some point. 'Imrun moved to Ceuta after having lived in Fes. Qadi 'Iyad was the Imam of his time in hadith and its sciences. He was a scholar of tafsir and its sciences, a faqih in usul, a scholar in grammar, language and Arabic speech, as well as in the battles and lineages of the Arabs. He had insight into judgements and had the legal competence to write contracts. He preserved and knew the Maliki madhhab. He was an excellent poet, familiar with literature and an eloquent orator. He was steadfast, forbearing and a good companion. He was generous and gave a lot of sadaqa. He was constant in action and tenacious in the truth. He died in Marrakesh in the month of Jumada al-Akhira or Ramadan in 544 AH. AISHA BEWLEY Aisha Abdurrahman at Tarjumana Bewley is one of today's most prolific translators of classical Arabic works into English. For more than thirty-five years she has been concerned with making the contents of many classical Arabic works more accessible to English-speaking readers. She is co-translator of The Noble Qur'an A New Rendering of its Meaning in English. Other works include Al-Muwatta of Imam Malik, The Meaning of Man, Mu'awiya - Restorer of the Muslim Faith, A Glossary of Islamic Terms, Islam: The Empowering of Women and Muslim Women, a Biographical Dictionary.

This work is both an introduction to the genre of classical tafs?r and a detailed study of one of its major architects, al-Tha?lab? (d. 427/1035). The book offers a detailed study of the hermeneutical principles that governed al-Tha?lab?'s approach to the Qur??n, principles which became the norm in later exegetical works. and a detailed study of one of its major architects, al-Thalabi (d. 427/1035). The book offers a detailed study of the hermeneutical principles that governed al-Tha?lab?'s approach to the Qur??n, principles which became the norm in later exegetical works.

With the revival of interest in Islam in our times, the Qur'an is also being read increasingly, especially by the intellectuals: Muslims and non-Muslims alike. However, and although its message and central theme have been stated in unambiguous terms, its translation fails to impart the same meaning with the same effect. Additionally, the Qur'an deals with every subject of human concern and gives guidelines for application to life and society. This increases its scope widely, and requires on the part of the reader's knowledge of various disciplines for proper appreciation of its message.It is specially important to know how the Qur'an was understood by those who received it first: Prophet Muhammad (SAW), on whom be Allah's peace, and his immediate followers. Second in order of interest and importance would be to know how the scholars of Islam have understood it in every age. The present work endeavours in the main to provide this information. However, it also presents useful notes, variant notes, variant opinions, anecdotes and legal points - from commentaries old and new.

Consists of English translation of thirty-two passages, which are equivalent to approximately 8 per cent of the original, of Tabari's Qur'anic commentary. The selection was made by The Royal Aal Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought, in Amman, Jordan.