The Commentary On The Quran Vol. 2 By Al-tabari Better -
Within this 30-volume masterpiece, holds a particularly significant position. It is more than just a continuation of the first volume; it is the gateway where the foundational principles of the Quranic narrative begin to lock into place. This article provides an exhaustive exploration of Volume 2, its author, its methodology, its content, and its lasting legacy. Who Was Imam Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari? To understand the text, one must first understand the titan who penned it. Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari (839–923 CE / 224–310 AH) was a Persian polymath from Amol, Tabaristan (modern-day Iran). He was not just a mufassir (exegete); he was a historian, a jurist, and a hadith scholar of the highest order.
For any serious student of Islam, Quranic exegesis (Tafsir) is not merely an explanation of words; it is a journey through history, law, language, and spirituality. At the pinnacle of this scholarly tradition stands a single, monumental work: Jami' al-bayan 'an ta'wil ay al-Qur'an (The Comprehensive Exposition of the Interpretation of the Verses of the Qur'an), commonly known as Tafsir al-Tabari. The Commentary On The Quran Vol. 2 By Al-tabari
Modern extremists often cherry-pick verses out of context. Al-Tabari’s exhaustive method forces the reader to see the temporal and situational context of verses regarding fighting, peace treaties, and relations with Jews and Christians. He clearly shows that the "Sword Verse" (2:191) is specifically about those who break treaties and attack first. Who Was Imam Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari
He then tackles the birth of Maryam (Mary) and Zakariyya (Zechariah). The commentary on Verse 3:7—regarding "clear verses" ( muhkamat ) and "allegorical verses" ( mutashabihat )—is crucial. Al-Tabari warns against those who "follow what is allegorical seeking discord." He argues that only Allah knows the true interpretation of allegorical verses, establishing a cornerstone of Sunni orthodoxy. 1. A Window to Lost Schools of Thought: When you read Volume 2, you encounter the opinions of early jurists like Al-Awza’i and Ibn Abi Layla, whose legal schools vanished. Al-Tabari preserves their logic, preventing historical amnesia. He was not just a mufassir (exegete); he
Whether you are a university researcher in Islamic Studies, a student at a madrasa, or a layperson seeking a profound connection with Surah Al-Baqarah and Al-Imran, acquiring and studying this volume is an investment in intellectual and spiritual depth. To read Al-Tabari is to sit at the feet of the greatest teacher in the Sunni tradition. Volume 2, specifically, is where the journey gets serious—where law meets history, and theology meets polemic.
Pick it up. The words of Imam al-Tabari are waiting. Have you read Volume 2 of Tafsir al-Tabari? What was your most surprising discovery regarding the stories of the Prophets or the rulings of Fasting? Share your thoughts in the history books.
Furthermore, in the modern era, the printing of and its companion volumes by publishing houses like Dar al-Tafsir and Mu’assasat al-Risalah revolutionized Islamic scholarship. For the first time, the ijtihad of a 3rd-century Hijri Imam became accessible to the masses, not just the elite. Conclusion "The Commentary on the Quran Vol. 2 By Al-Tabari" is not a book you finish in a weekend; it is a companion for a lifetime. It captures a moment in Islamic history when the oral tradition was being meticulously codified into an unbreakable written record. In its pages, you will find the tears of the early Muslims, the logic of their legal debates, and the awe they felt when confronted with the Divine Word.
