A Textbook on the Methods of Qur’anic Exegesis

The science of tafsīr (exegesis of the Qur’an) was one of the earli­est academic activities in Islam. Since the Qur’an’s revelation, a variety of methods and approaches have been developed to interpret its verses. This introductory textbook deals with the most important methods used in tafsīr.

Having made the distinction between exegetical ‘methods’ and ‘approaches’, the author focuses his analysis on the following exegetical methods: tafsīr of the Qur’an by the Qur’an, narrative exegesis, intellectual and reason-based exegesis, scientific exegesis, allusive exegesis, exegesis by personal opinion, and comprehensive exegesis.

This is an ideal textbook for beginners to the subject. There are useful summaries at the end of each chapter as well as questions, research tasks, and suggestions for further reading. The text abounds with examples from the works of leading exegetes and is written in a clear and lucid style.

AUTHOR DESCRIPTION: Mohammad Ali Reza’i Isfahani is the principal of the School of Advanced Qur’an and Hadith Studies at Al-Mustafa International University. He has authored numerous books on Qur’anic interpreta­tion, including the 22-volume Tafsīr-i Qur’an-i Mihr.