FSR100 Tafsir: An Introductory course
WHAT TO EXPECT
It is related that Abdullah-Ibnu ‘Abbas (May God Grant them Mercy) said:
“The Qur`an will come on the Day of Judgment pure and untouched (none having comprehended it nor grasped its true meanings).”
The Qur`an is a treasure that will never be exhausted. The more one discovers of its meanings, the more one realizes how many more infinite meanings and layers there are to explore. It is this unquenchable desire that has animated the scholars of this ummah in their struggles to comprehend, interpret and live the meanings of the Qur`an. For the past fourteen centuries, to the present day, they have explored the Qur`an from every possible point of view: linguistic, historical, legal, scientific, social, its rhymes and patterns, the correspondence between ends of Chapters and their beginnings…
Tafsir literally means ‘uncovering’ and ‘Clarifying’. Imam Al-Zarkashiyy (May God Grant him Mercy) defines it as: “The science through which one understands the book of God (the Qur`an) that was revealed to His Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him and his progeny), and through which its meanings are expressed and its wisdoms and rulings are extracted”.
Works of Tafsir are often some of the longest works of Islamic scholarship. The Tafsir of Imam Ar-Razi spans thirty two volumes, that of Imam Al-Qurtubiyy is ten volumes in length, and that of Imam Abi Bakr Ibnil-‘Arabiyy is one of the longest works of Tafsir ever written.
This introductory course takes place on a weekly basis over a seven-month period. Students will first be introduced to the science of Tafsir, followed by an extensive explanation of the meanings of the opening Chapter of the Qur`an, Surat al-Fatihah. The greater part of the course will be devoted to a thematic Tafsir, in which the main themes presented in the Qur`an will be discussed.
PREREQUISITES
None. The course will be taught in English and is open to all interested students.
COURSE OVERVIEW
There are three main components in this course:
Part I: An introduction to the science of Tafsir
A detailing of the importance of this science, its relation to other sciences, and important definitions and concepts necessary to a study of Tafsir.
Part II: A detailed Tafsir of Surat al-Fatihah
While the length of this course does not permit a detailed Tafsir of the entire Qur`an, the opening chapter of the Qur`an will be discussed in detail. This is especially useful since this is the Chapter that Muslims recite at least seventeen times every day in Prayer and on other important occasions. This detailed Tafsir will also provide the students with a taste of the beauty of this science; the depth of meaning that Islamic Scholars uncovered in the words of the Qur`an, the differences of opinion that exist and their sources, and the practical lessons that can be drawn from the Verses discussed.
Part III: Thematic Tafsir
The greater part of the course will discuss the three most important themes of the Qur`an: Islamic Belief and Theology; Legal rulings; and, the stories of ancient peoples and civilizations. Each of these themes will be discussed by drawing on Verses from throughout the Qur`an that discuss the theme under review.
This thematic approach will provide the student with an understanding of the messages and themes emphasized repeatedly in the Qur`an, which will be helpful in contextualizing and comprehending the significance of other Verses they will come across while reciting the Qur`an. This approach is also intended to provide students with an appreciation of the important linguistic concepts discussed, highlighting the huge gulf between studying a Tafsir and merely reading a translation and to implant in them a desire to study more Tafsir, as well as other necessary sciences, especially Classical Arabic, that are required for a more in-depth study of Tafsir.
RELATED COURSES
FSR100 Tafsir: An Introductory course
FSR101 Scholars & their works under the microscope
FSR102 Surah Yusuf (as) Explained
FSR103 Al-A'raf Explained
FSR104 Al-Baqarah Explained I
FSR105 Al-Baqarah Explained II
FSR106 Al-Baqarah Explained III
“(This is) a Scripture that We have revealed unto thee, full of blessing, that they may ponder its revelations, and that those of understanding may reflect” [38.29].