The Commentary On The Quran Vol. 2 By Al-tabari May 2026

Author: Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari (839–923 CE).

Original Title: Jamiʿ al-bayan ʿan taʾwil ay al-Qurʾan (The Clear Exposition of the Interpretation of the Verses of the Quran).

Significance: It is the earliest major Tafsir (Quranic commentary) to survive in its entirety.

Volume 2 Focus: This volume typically covers the continuation of Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow), the longest chapter of the Quran. 🔑 Key Features of Volume 2

Tradition-Based Exegesis (Tafsir bi-al-Ma'thur): Al-Tabari relies heavily on Hadith (traditions of the Prophet Muhammad), statements of the Companions (Sahabah), and the next generation of scholars (Tabi'un).

Grammatical and Linguistic Analysis: He breaks down complex Arabic words, examining pre-Islamic poetry to establish the original linguistic context.

Diverse Opinions: Rather than offering a single view, he meticulously lists various scholarly opinions before arguing for the interpretation he deems most accurate.

Legal and Theological Insights: Volume 2 covers verses detailing dietary laws, fasting, warfare, and the changing of the Qiblah (direction of prayer). 📖 Major Themes Covered in Volume 2 1. Laws and Legislation

Detailed breakdowns of the obligations of fasting during Ramadan. Rules regarding marriage, divorce, and family ethics. The prohibition of usury (Riba) and financial ethics. 2. Stories of the Prophets The Commentary On The Quran Vol. 2 By Al-tabari

The continuation of the story of Prophet Moses and the Children of Israel. The building of the Kaaba by Abraham and Ishmael. 3. The Concept of Abrogation (Naskh)

Al-Tabari provides extensive discussions on verses that were revealed to replace or modify earlier rulings, providing a deep look into the chronological development of Islamic law. 🌟 Why This Work Matters Today

Historical Anchor: It preserves early Islamic traditions that might otherwise have been lost to history.

Academic Goldmine: It serves as a primary source for historians, theologians, and linguists studying classical Arabic.

Methodological Masterpiece: Al-Tabari's rigorous system of cross-referencing and critical analysis set the standard for all future Quranic commentaries.

The Commentary on the Quran Vol. 2 by Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari (d. 923 CE) is a seminal work in Islamic scholarship, forming part of his monumental Jami‘ al-bayan ‘an ta’wil ay al-Qur’an (Comprehensive Exposition of the Interpretation of the Verses of the Qur'an). As the earliest major Quranic commentary to survive in its original form, it is highly regarded for its exhaustive use of traditional reports and independent scholarly judgment. Scope and Content

Depending on the edition or translation, "Volume 2" typically refers to one of two major scholarly presentations:

The Classical Arabic Full Work: In the standard multi-volume Arabic sets, Volume 2 continues the commentary from Surah Al-Imran (Chapter 3) through Surah Al-A'raf (Chapter 7), specifically reaching verse 10 of Al-A'raf. Author: Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari (839–923

Modern English Selections: A popular two-volume translation published by the Islamic Texts Society focuses on thirty selected chapters and verses. Volume 2 of this set includes:

Major Surahs: The Smoke (Ad-Dukhan), The Beneficent (Ar-Rahman), The Inevitable Occasion (Al-Waqi'ah), Iron (Al-Hadid), Sovereignty (Al-Mulk), and the final short chapters of the Quran (Al-Falaq, An-Nas).

Key Verses: Specific sections of Az-Zumar (39:53–55) and Al-Hashr (59:18–24). Scholarly Methodology

Al-Tabari's approach in this volume is characterized by its rigorous "tradition-based" (tafsir bi'l-ma'thur) method. His work is a fundamental reference due to several distinctive features:

Providing a useful review of The Commentary on the Quran Vol. 2 by Al-Tabari requires understanding both the specific content of this volume (which generally covers Surah Al-Baqarah and Al-Imran) and the monumental status of the work as a whole.

Here is a detailed review structured for students, researchers, and general readers.

7. Final Verdict

Volume 2 of Al-Tabari’s Commentary is a demanding but rewarding read. It is not a devotional bedside book; it is a reference work of immense weight.

If you are studying the legal verses of the Quran (usury, charity, fasting, debts), this volume is essential. It strips away modern sentimentality and returns to the raw, linguistic, and traditional understanding of the early Muslim community. establishing a cornerstone of Sunni orthodoxy.

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5) for academic and historical value. Accessibility: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) for the general lay reader due to density.

3. Legal Reasoning (Verse 2:178 – Retaliation)

When discussing Qisas (eye for an eye), Tabari moves into jurisprudence (Fiqh). He breaks down the verse into grammatical components. Does "The free for the free" mean a noble free person cannot be killed for killing a slave? Tabari says no—he argues the verse establishes equality of life, not hierarchy of class, relying on the consensus of the Companions.

Why You Need This Specific Volume: Academic and Spiritual Benefits

Whether you are a university scholar, a seminary student, or a lay Muslim seeking depth, "The Commentary on the Quran Vol. 2 by Al-Tabari" offers unique advantages.

For the Academic:

• Primary Source Access: You read the exact isnads that shaped early Islamic law.
• Linguistic Mastery: Al-Tabari was a master of classical Arabic poetry. He uses pre-Islamic verses to define difficult Quranic words. Volume 2 contains dozens of poetic citations not found in modern tafsirs.
• Abrogation Charts: The volume contains detailed discussions on which verses overrule others—crucial for understanding the chronology of revelation.

For the Spiritual Seeker:

• Contextual Devotion: Praying or reciting Surah Al-Baqarah becomes a different experience when you know the historical anxieties and legal debates behind each verse.
• Combating Extremism: Al-Tabari represents the "golden mean" of Islam—reverent of tradition, yet intellectually rigorous. He rejects the extreme literalism of the anthropomorphists (who want to give God a physical body) while also condemning the ultra-rationalists (who strip God of all attributes). Volume 2 teaches balance.

The Gems Within Volume 2

Let’s look at three specific features that make this volume a masterpiece.

Title: Jami’ al-bayan ‘an ta’wil ay al-Qur’an (The Compendium of Clarification on the Interpretation of the Verses of the Quran)

Author: Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari (d. 923 CE) Focus of Vol. 2: Typically covers the latter half of Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow) and the beginning of Surah Al-Imran (The Family of Imran).

5. The Theological Debates in Al-Imran (Volume 2’s conclusion)

As Volume 2 transitions into Surah Al-Imran, the tone shifts from law to theology. The opening verses (Alif, Lam, Meem) are analyzed for their mystical huruf muqatta'ah (disjointed letters). Al-Tabari cautiously suggests these letters are proof of the Quran's miraculous nature—that it is composed of the same letters Arabs use, yet they cannot replicate it.

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.