Major Commentators of the Qur'an (Mufassirun)

This article provides a comprehensive list of the most influential and widely recognized commentators of the Qur'an (mufassirun) throughout Islamic history. The list is organized chronologically and by major schools of thought to provide a clear overview of the development of Qur'anic exegesis (tafsir).

Qur'anic commentary is a rich and diverse field, with thousands of works written over fourteen centuries. According to contemporary scholarship, there are over 2,700 known Qur'an commentaries in manuscript form, with only about 300 having been published. With a vast number of manuscripts still unstudied, this list represents the most prominent and impactful figures whose works have shaped Muslim understanding of the holy text.

Understanding the major commentators requires familiarity with the different methodological approaches they employed:

Tafsir bi'l-Ma'thur (Interpretation through Transmitted Reports)

This method relies primarily on the Qur'an itself, hadith, and the statements of the Companions and their successors. Major practitioners include Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir.

 Tafsir bi'l-Ra'y (Interpretation through Reason)

This approach uses reason, linguistic analysis, and personal judgment to interpret the Qur'an. Notable examples include Al-Zamakhshari and Al-Razi.

 Tafsir Ishāri (Mystical/Sufi Interpretation)

This method seeks to uncover the inner, spiritual meanings of the text. Prominent practitioners include Al-Qushayri and Ibn Ajiba.

Tafsir Fiqhi (Legal Commentary)

This approach focuses on extracting legal rulings from the Qur'an. Al-Qurtubi's work is the prime example.

Tafsir 'Ilmi (Scientific Exegesis)

Modern commentators sometimes attempt to find scientific truths in the Qur'an or interpret it in light of contemporary scientific knowledge.

The Early Commentators (Al-Salaf al-Salih) - 7th to 9th Centuries

The earliest period of tafsir was dominated by the direct transmission of knowledge from the Prophet Muhammad and his Companions (Sahaba). This era is characterized by tafsir bi'l-ma'thur (interpretation through transmitted reports).

Abd Allah ibn Abbas (d. 687 CE)

 Tanwir al-Miqbas (often attributed to him, though its authenticity is debated by scholars). As a cousin of the Prophet, Ibn Abbas is considered one of the most important early authorities on the Qur'an. His interpretations, transmitted through his students, form the foundation of much of later tafsir.

Muqatil ibn Sulayman (d. 767 CE)

Tafsir al-Kabir (The Great Interpretation). Authored one of the first complete written tafsirs of the Qur'an. His work is known for its detailed explanations and focus on the narrative aspects of the text.

Sufyan al-Thawri (d. 778 CE)

Tafsir Sufyan al-Thawri*.A leading jurist and hadith scholar, his tafsir is a collection of his transmitted interpretations, reflecting the close connection between hadith and early Qur'anic studies.

Abu Zakaria al-Farra (d. 822 CE)

Ma'ani al-Qur'an (The Meanings of the Qur'an). A master of Arabic grammar from the Kufan school, his work is one of the earliest to systematically analyze the Qur'an from a linguistic and grammatical perspective.

The Age of Compendia: The Great Sunni Commentators - 9th to 12th Centuries

This period saw the compilation of massive, comprehensive tafsirs that synthesized the knowledge of the early generations and established the major methodologies of Qur'anic exegesis.

Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari (839-923 CE)

Jami' al-bayan 'an ta'wil ay al-Qur'an* (Collection of Statements on the Interpretation of the Verses of the Qur'an), famously known as Tafsir al-Tabari. The most important and influential early tafsir. Al-Tabari meticulously collected and documented the interpretations of the Salaf, establishing a standard for tafsir bi'l-ma'thur. His work is an indispensable resource for all subsequent commentators.

Al-Mawardi  (d. 1058 CE)

    An-Nukat wa al-'Uyun*. Shafi'i jurist, his tafsir is known for its legal and theological insights, reflecting the growing specialization within Islamic sciences.

Al-Wahidi (d. 1075 CE)

Al-Basit*, Al-Wasit, and Al-Wajiz. A renowned scholar of asbab al-nuzul (the occasions of revelation), his works provide crucial context for understanding the verses of the Qur'an.

Al-Zamakhshari (1075-1144 CE)

Al-Kashshaf* (The Unveiler). A masterpiece of linguistic and rhetorical analysis. Although a Mu'tazili in his theology, his work's profound insights into the literary beauty and grammatical structure of the Qur'an made it essential reading for all subsequent scholars, who often studied it to adopt its methods while cautioning against its theological leanings.

The Later Classical Period: Synthesis and Specialization - 12th to 15th Centuries

This era is marked by commentators who synthesized the vast body of existing tafsir literature and often brought specialized perspectives, such as philosophy, law, and mysticism, to their interpretations.

Fakhr al-Din al-Razi (1149-1209 CE)

Mafatih al-Ghayb* (The Keys to the Unseen), also known as Tafsir al-Kabir (The Great Commentary). A monumental work of tafsir bi'l-ra'y (interpretation based on reason). Al-Razi, a brilliant Ash'ari theologian and philosopher, engaged deeply with philosophical and scientific questions in his commentary, seeking to demonstrate the harmony between revelation and reason.

Al-Qurtubi (1214-1273 CE)

Al-Jami' li-Ahkam al-Qur'an* (The Compendium of the Rulings of the Qur'an). The most important legal commentary on the Qur'an. A Maliki jurist from Cordoba, Al-Qurtubi's work is an exhaustive analysis of the legal and ethical rulings derived from the Qur'anic text, while also incorporating linguistic and narrative interpretations.

Al-Baydawi** (d. 1286 CE)

   Anwar al-Tanzil wa Asrar al-Ta'wil* (The Lights of Revelation and the Secrets of Interpretation), known as Tafsir al-Baydawi. For centuries, this was one of the most studied tafsirs in the Islamic world. It is a concise and masterful summary of Al-Zamakhshari's Al-Kashshaf, stripped of its Mu'tazili theology, making it a standard textbook in madrasas.

Ibn Kathir (1301-1373 CE)

Tafsir al-Qur'an al-'Azim (Commentary on the Great Qur'an), known as Tafsir Ibn Kathir. After Al-Tabari, this is the most highly regarded tafsir based on the bi'l-ma'thur methodology. Ibn Kathir summarizes the interpretations of the early generations and is particularly known for his rigorous use of hadith to explain the verses of the Qur'an. It remains one of the most popular and widely read tafsirs today.

Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti (d. 1505 CE) & Jalal al-Din al-Mahalli (d. 1459 CE)

Tafsir al-Jalalayn (The Commentary of the Two Jalals). A concise and highly accessible commentary, completed by Al-Suyuti after Al-Mahalli's death. Its brevity and clarity have made it one of the most popular tafsirs for beginners for centuries.

The Sufi and Mystical Commentators

Sufi commentators focused on the inner, esoteric meanings of the Qur'an (*isharat*), seeking to uncover the spiritual and mystical dimensions of the text.

Sahl al-Tustari (d. 896 CE)

Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azim*. One of the earliest and most influential Sufi tafsirs, laying the groundwork for mystical interpretation.

Al-Qushayri (d. 1072 CE)

Lata'if al-Isharat (Subtleties of the Allusions). A classic of Sufi exegesis, known for its literary elegance and profound spiritual insights.

Ruzbihan Baqli (d. 1209 CE)

Ara'is al-Bayan fi Haqa'iq al-Qur'an* (The Brides of Elucidation in the Truths of the Qur'an). A deeply mystical and ecstatic commentary, reflecting the author's intense spiritual experiences.

Ahmad ibn Ajiba (d. 1809 CE)

Bahr al-Madid* (The Immense Ocean). A unique work that combines a traditional exoteric tafsir with a verse-by-verse esoteric commentary, making it one of the most comprehensive Sufi tafsirs.

Mahmud al-Alusi (d. 1854 CE)

Ruh al-Ma'ani (The Spirit of Meanings).While a comprehensive Sunni tafsir, Al-Alusi frequently incorporates Sufi interpretations (*ishari* tafsir), making his work a bridge between the exoteric and esoteric traditions.

Modern and Contemporary Commentators - 19th to 21st Centuries

The modern period is characterized by a wide range of approaches, from reformist and modernist interpretations to responses to colonialism, science, and contemporary ideologies.

Muhammad Abduh (d. 1905) and Rashid Rida (d. 1935)

 Tafsir al-Manar*. A foundational work of Islamic modernism. It sought to interpret the Qur'an in light of modern reason and challenges, emphasizing its guidance for social and political reform. It was started by Abduh and completed by his student, Rida.

Sayyid Qutb (d. 1966)

Fi Zilal al-Qur'an (In the Shade of the Qur'an). One of the most influential and controversial modern tafsirs. Written largely from prison, it is a powerful literary and spiritual commentary that also contains the seeds of his radical political ideology, profoundly influencing modern Islamist movements.

Abul A'la Maududi (d. 1979)

Tafhim al-Qur'an (The Meaning of the Qur'an). A highly influential 20th-century tafsir that presents the Qur'an as a blueprint for a comprehensive Islamic social and political order. It is known for its clear, accessible style and its focus on practical guidance.

Muhammad al-Tahir ibn Ashur (d. 1973)

  Tafsir al-Tahrir wa'l-Tanwir (The Commentary of Liberation and Enlightenment). A monumental modern tafsir that combines classical methods with a deep engagement with the Qur'an's rhetorical and literary aspects. It is widely regarded as one of the most important and sophisticated tafsirs of the 20th century.

Aisha Abd al-Rahman (Bint al-Shati) (d. 1998)

Al-Tafsir al-Bayani lil-Qur'an al-Karim. A pioneering work by one of the most important female Qur'anic scholars of the modern era. Her tafsir is known for its literary approach and its focus on the historical and social context of the Qur'an.

Shia Commentators

Shia commentators developed their own distinct tradition of tafsir, emphasizing the role of the Imams and often incorporating esoteric interpretations.

Ali ibn Ibrahim al-Qummi (d. 919 CE)

   Tafsir al-Qummi. One of the earliest and most important Shia tafsirs, known for its transmission of interpretations from the Imams.

Muhammad ibn Mas'ud al-Ayyashi (d. 932 CE)

  Tafsir al-Ayyashi. A comprehensive collection of Shia traditions related to Qur'anic interpretation.

Al-Tabarsi (d. 1153 CE)

    Majma' al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Qur'an. One of the most comprehensive and scholarly Shia tafsirs, combining traditional Shia interpretations with linguistic and literary analysis.

Mulla Sadra (d. 1640 CE)

Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Karim. A philosophical commentary that integrates Sufi mysticism with Shia theology and Aristotelian philosophy.

Allama Tabataba'i  (d. 1981 CE)

 Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Qur'an. A monumental 20-volume modern Shia tafsir that seeks to interpret the Qur'an by the Qur'an itself, emphasizing the internal coherence and unity of the text.

Regional and Linguistic Traditions

The Qur'an has been commented upon in numerous languages and regional traditions, each bringing unique perspectives and methodologies.

Persian Tradition

 Husayn Kashifi (d. 1504 CE)

Mawaheb-e 'Aliyya (Tafsir al-Husaini).  A popular Persian commentary that made Qur'anic interpretation accessible to Persian-speaking audiences.

Anwar Shah Kashmiri (d. 1933 CE)

Mushkilat al-Qur'an.  A scholarly work addressing difficult passages in the Qur'an.

Urdu Tradition

Ashraf Ali Thanwi (d. 1943 CE)

Bayan al-Qur'an*. A comprehensive Urdu tafsir that remains popular in the Indian subcontinent.

Muhammad Shafi (d. 1976 CE)

Ma'ariful Qur'an. One of the most widely read Urdu tafsirs, known for its clarity and practical guidance.

Turkish Tradition

Elmalılı Muhammed Hamdi Yazır (d. 1942 CE)

Hak Dini Kur'an Dili. A comprehensive Turkish tafsir that played a crucial role in making Qur'anic interpretation accessible to Turkish speakers.

Indonesian/Malay Tradition

1.  **Hamka (d. 1981 CE)

Tafsir al-Azhar*. A popular Indonesian tafsir that addresses contemporary issues and social concerns.

Quraish Shihab (contemporary)

Tafsir Al-Mishbah*. A modern Indonesian tafsir that combines traditional scholarship with contemporary insights.

Methodological Approaches in Qur'anic Commentary

This list represents the most influential and widely recognized commentators of the Qur'an across different periods, schools of thought, and geographical regions. Each brought unique perspectives, methodologies, and insights to the understanding of the holy text. Their collective work has created a rich tapestry of interpretation that continues to guide Muslim understanding of the Qur'an today.

The tradition of Qur'anic commentary remains vibrant, with contemporary scholars continuing to engage with the text in new ways while building upon the foundations laid by their predecessors. This ongoing dialogue between past and present ensures that the Qur'an remains a living document that speaks to each generation in its own language and context.