Tafsir - Semester 1 - Lecture 2 | Shaykh Dr. Ahmad ibn Saifuddin | Zad Academy English

Summary

The lesson begins with praise to Allah and an introduction to the development of Tafsir, the interpretation of the Quran. The speaker outlines the historical progression of Tafsir, starting from the Quran explaining itself, to the Prophet Muhammad’s explanations, followed by interpretations from his companions and subsequent scholars. The importance of understanding Tafsir through the Quran, Sunnah, and Hadith is emphasized. The speaker also highlights examples of specific terms and concepts that are explained in various ways within these sources. The lesson concludes by previewing the next episode, which will further explore the development of Tafsir throughout history.

Takeaways

• 📚 The lesson is part of a series at Zed Academy focusing on the development and interpretation of Tafsir (interpretation) of the Quran.
• 🕋 Tafsir has evolved from the time of the first revelation to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to the numerous books available today.
• 📖 The Quran sometimes explains its verses internally, either within the same Surah or in different Surahs.
• 🗣️ The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) provided Tafsir by explaining the meanings of specific verses to his companions, either proactively or in response to their questions.
• 👥 The companions of the Prophet also contributed to Tafsir by sharing their understanding of the verses.
• 📚 After the companions, the following generations, particularly the Tabi'un (successors), played a role in developing Tafsir.
• 📝 Scholars of the Quran have written many Tafsir books, using their knowledge, understanding of the language, and insights to interpret the Quran.
• 🌟 Tafsir can be categorized into stages, including Tafsir by the Quran itself, by the Prophet, by the companions, and by subsequent scholars.
• 🔍 Tafsir often provides detailed guidance on how to implement general statements found in the Quran, such as how to perform Salah (prayer) or give Zakah (almsgiving).
• 🌐 The ultimate goal of Tafsir is to provide a clear understanding of the Quran's message, making it accessible and applicable to the lives of Muslims.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the lesson discussed in the transcript?

The main focus of the lesson is the development of Tafsir (interpretation of the Quran) from the time of the first revelation to the present day, including the different stages of Tafsir and how it has evolved through history.

What are the five stages of Tafsir development mentioned in the transcript?

The five stages of Tafsir development mentioned are: 1) Tafsir by the Quran itself, 2) Tafsir by the Prophet Muhammad (Sunnah), 3) Tafsir by the companions of the Prophet, 4) Tafsir by the second generation (Tabi'een), and 5) Tafsir by later scholars who authored books on the subject.

How does the Quran explain itself according to the transcript?

The Quran explains itself by providing clarification of certain terms or concepts within the text, sometimes within the same Surah (chapter) or in different Surahs. The example given is the term 'Al-Qari'ah' which is explained in the subsequent verses.

What role did the Prophet Muhammad play in explaining the Quran?

The Prophet Muhammad played a crucial role in explaining the Quran by clarifying general statements, answering questions from his companions, and specifying the meanings of broad or ambiguous terms. His explanations were essential for understanding and practicing the teachings of the Quran.

Can you provide an example of how the Prophet Muhammad clarified the Quranic text?

One example provided is the explanation of the term 'Al-Ziyadah' in Surah Yunus, where the Prophet Muhammad clarified that it refers to the extra reward in Paradise, which is the ability to gaze at the countenance of Allah.

Why is it important to understand the Quran through the Hadith of the Prophet?

It is important because the Hadith provides detailed explanations and practical guidance on how to implement the teachings of the Quran, particularly in areas where the Quranic text is general or lacks specific instructions, such as the details of performing Salah (prayer).

What is the significance of the companions' role in Tafsir?

The companions of the Prophet played a significant role in Tafsir by conveying the explanations they received directly from the Prophet and by interpreting the Quran based on their deep understanding of the language and context in which the revelations occurred.

What is meant by 'Tafsir by the Quran itself'?

Tafsir by the Quran itself refers to the Quran providing explanations for its own verses, either within the same Surah or in different Surahs, where one part of the Quran elucidates the meaning of another part.

How does the development of Tafsir highlight the importance of historical context in understanding the Quran?

The development of Tafsir underscores the importance of understanding the historical context in which the Quran was revealed, as the meanings of certain verses were clarified by the Prophet and his companions based on their direct experiences and the situations they faced.

What should a student of knowledge prioritize when studying Tafsir?

A student of knowledge should prioritize understanding the Tafsir of the Quran by the Quran itself, followed by the explanations provided by the Prophet (Sunnah), and then consider the interpretations given by the companions, early generations, and later scholars.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Tafsir: The Early Development of Quranic Interpretation

This paragraph opens the lesson with praises to Allah and salutations upon Prophet Muhammad. It introduces the topic of tafsir (interpretation of the Quran) and briefly recaps the previous lesson, which explained the concept of tafsir and its sources. The focus then shifts to the historical development of tafsir, starting from the first revelation to Prophet Muhammad until the compilation of numerous tafsir books. The paragraph highlights the role of the Quran itself in explaining its verses, setting the stage for a detailed exploration of tafsir's evolution.

05:03

📖 Tafsir by the Quran Itself: Understanding Through Cross-referencing

This paragraph discusses how the Quran explains its verses through cross-referencing, where one verse may clarify another. It uses examples from the previous lesson, such as the explanation of the 'Striking Calamity' and human nature's response to adversity and prosperity. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of understanding these Quranic explanations as the first stage in tafsir, before moving on to interpretations by the Prophet Muhammad and subsequent scholars.

10:04

🌟 The Prophet’s Role in Tafsir: Clarifying General Statements

This paragraph explains the significant role of the Prophet Muhammad in tafsir, particularly in clarifying general or broad statements in the Quran. The Prophet provided detailed instructions on practices like Salah (prayer) and Zakat (charity), which are not fully elaborated in the Quran. An example discussed is the concept of 'Ziyadah' (extra reward) mentioned in the Quran, which the Prophet clarified as the reward of gazing upon Allah’s countenance in Paradise. The paragraph concludes by encouraging students to explore further examples of tafsir through the Quran and Hadith.

Keywords

💡Tafsir

Tafsir refers to the interpretation or explanation of the Quran. It involves understanding the meanings of the verses and their contexts. In the video, tafsir is discussed in terms of its development through history, from the Prophet Muhammad’s explanations to modern scholarly works.

💡Quran

The Quran is the holy book of Islam, believed to be the word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. The video emphasizes the importance of using the Quran itself to explain its verses, where some verses clarify the meanings of others. This is the first and primary method of tafsir mentioned.

💡Sunnah

Sunnah refers to the practices, teachings, and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. In the video, it is highlighted as the second source for explaining the Quran, particularly for clarifying general statements or instructions found in the Quran, such as how to perform specific religious practices like Salah (prayer).

💡Hadith

Hadith are the recorded sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad. The video mentions that Hadith is a crucial source for tafsir, providing explanations and context for certain Quranic verses. Scholars use Hadith to understand the meanings of verses that are not immediately clear from the text of the Quran itself.

💡Sahabah

Sahabah refers to the companions of the Prophet Muhammad. In the video, it is explained that the companions played a significant role in interpreting the Quran, often providing insights based on their direct knowledge and understanding from the Prophet. This is considered a reliable source of tafsir.

💡Tabi'un

Tabi'un are the generation of Muslims who followed the Sahabah. The video notes that the Tabi'un continued the tradition of interpreting the Quran, building upon the knowledge passed down by the Sahabah. They were among the earliest scholars to write books on tafsir.

💡Salah

Salah is the Islamic practice of ritual prayer performed five times a day. The video discusses Salah in the context of how the Prophet Muhammad explained its procedures, which are not fully detailed in the Quran but clarified through the Sunnah and Hadith, demonstrating the importance of these sources for religious practices.

💡Ziyadah

Ziyadah means 'an extra' or 'addition'. The video explains that in the Quran, Allah promises something 'extra' for those who have done good deeds, which is interpreted in Hadith as the reward of gazing upon the face of Allah in Paradise, illustrating how Hadith helps clarify Quranic terms.

💡Al-Mutashabihat

Al-Mutashabihat refers to the ambiguous or unclear verses in the Quran. The video mentions that these verses require tafsir to understand their deeper meanings, often necessitating the use of the Quran, Sunnah, Hadith, and scholarly interpretation to clarify their significance.

💡Day of Resurrection

The Day of Resurrection, also known as Yawm al-Qiyamah, is the Islamic concept of the day when all beings will be resurrected for judgment by Allah. The video references this concept to contextualize the ongoing blessings and punishments, such as the ultimate reward of seeing Allah's face for the righteous, underscoring the eschatological themes in Quranic interpretation.

Highlights

Introduction begins with praise and blessings, setting a respectful and religious context for the lesson.

This is the second lesson in the series by In Zed Academy, building on previous explanations about 'tap' and its origins.

The development of 'tap' is traced from the time of the first revelation to the Prophet Muhammad up to the present, showcasing the historical evolution.

Discussion of how the Quran itself sometimes provides explanations for its verses within different Surahs.

Explanation of how the Prophet Muhammad interpreted and clarified the meanings of Quranic verses to his companions.

Highlight on the role of the Prophet's companions in interpreting Quranic verses and explaining their meanings based on their understanding.

Mention of how the generation following the Prophet’s companions, known as the 'Tabi'in,' contributed to the development and interpretation of 'tap.'

Description of how later scholars wrote books on the interpretation of the Quran ('tap') using their own knowledge and understanding.

Quranic verses often explain themselves by referencing other parts of the Quran, as seen in specific examples like Al-Qariah (The Striking Calamity).

The importance of the Prophet’s Sunnah in clarifying general statements in the Quran, such as the commands to perform Salah and give Zakah.

Detailed examples are given to illustrate how the Prophet provided context to Quranic verses that were broad or had multiple interpretations.

Explanation of the concept of 'Ziyadah,' an extra reward for the righteous in Paradise, interpreted as gazing upon Allah's countenance.

Encouragement for students to explore Quranic examples where the Quran explains itself and where Hadiths provide further context.

Clarification on the theological debate regarding gazing upon Allah's face on the Day of Judgment, with references to different scholarly opinions.

Emphasis on the importance of understanding the Quran through the Quran itself and the Hadiths, before considering other scholarly interpretations.

Conclusion with a promise to continue discussing the development of 'tap' in future lessons, emphasizing the significance of accessible knowledge.

Transcripts

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alhamd we start in the name of Allah the

compassion of merciful all praise is due

to Allah the almighty and May the peace

and blessings of Allah be upon his

Prophet Muhammad his family his

companions and his followers all until

the day of Resurrection I welcome you to

this second um lesson of the series

an in Zed academy and of course uh we're

very happy to be with you and we already

explained in the previous lesson the

meaning of tap and how tap is being

taken from uh certain uh sources and of

course we explained all that in detail

now how would we uh let's address to

today the uh development of T how tap

started in

history from the time when it started at

the time uh the first revelation upon

the prophet sallallahu alaihi Al

wasallam until the um authorization uh

authoring all these books on T that we

find today which is mashallah um big

number of of books of tap with all the

differences among the various uh books

of tap let me explain that and we're

going to cover how this is uh this is

developed first uh the Glorious Quran

itself U explained some of the terms of

part of it uh sometimes it comes in in

in the same Surah or in different Surah

it sometimes the the word itself is

being explained or particular terms as I

explained in the previous lesson we

talked about for

example and then immediately the

Glorious Quran

says

so that is that is the first one uh to

to start with and then it explains in in

the following ayas the meaning of the uh

term so that

is so explaining Quran via the Glorious

Quran secondly and I'm talking now about

General let me not not explain the whole

thing but give you the uh the um first

How uh

developed then the T of the Prophet

sallallah alai wasallam he would explain

to the companions the meaning of this

particular Ayah either uh he himself

would explain or uh in answering some of

their questions regarding some

particular AAS or a companion would

understand um would not understand the

meaning and then the prophet would

correct that understanding by giving the

right explanation

and then the or the

companions they would give you the

meaning as well of what a particular

Ayah would mean and then we talk about

after the generation of the sahab or the

companions of the Prophet peace be upon

Him of course we come to the uh

of the second generation the following

generations of the uh

and then we talk about the T of the

scholars of uh of alquran Scholars of T

themselves who actually uh wrote uh

books sometimes short or long uh

regarding the meaning of the Glorious

Quran based on their own understanding

their own knowledge their own uh

understanding of language and so on let

me uh explain first the uh these five

stages first uh the uh T based on the

Glorious Quran itself so Quran itself uh

uh explains what Quran what qur what

some of the verses are in in the

Glorious Quran or either in a different

uh Surah for example um I explained I

gave you the example in the previous

lesson uh

regarding so Allah explains about the

Striking Calamity that

is and he

said what do you know about and then

it's when people

spread um like uh these uh uh uh uh

butterflies who are uh you know

scattered just just like to give you an

explanation of what that is one of the

names of uh the days of Al so that is

that is one our also gave you the

example

of Man was created so

anxious so when he's being touched by U

uh evil he is uh unhappy um and

he is you know very fearful of what H

what happened to him and if he's been

touched by good then he would uh he

would be uh with withholding whatever

Allah has given him so that is that is

how the Quran itself explains what Quran

is secondly we talk about

the of the Prophet

s now of course there are some general

statements or general ayas that were uh

revealed in the Glorious Quran and then

the

prophet would address specifically the

meaning of a general aah or um when

there's a a very wide term he would

specify exactly what it means um let me

explain to you because sometimes we get

this understanding when when people say

well it's not explained in the in in the

Sunnah what is the meaning of

uh establish Salah and give uh out zakah

how would we do that well it's not

explained in the Quran how we exactly

move from one position to another what

we say inside

each Salah it is not explained in the

Glorious Quran however it is explained

in the Sunnah so the prophet Alat made

made sure that he explained in

details uh what a person uh says and

does in his or her Salah so that is that

is how uh the the these General uh

statements have been made uh so uh clear

and um and how could we put them into

into practice it is by the of the

prophet and the prophet Alat for example

explained uh the word Z meaning the

extra thing that is being added Allah

says in the Glorious Quran in

Surah for those who did well they are

giving

Al and extra something beyond that what

is what is the extra besides alna when

Allah rewards uh the the believing men

and women with uh with Paradise with

Jenna Allah and then they would be given

an extra and that extra is to gaze at

the countenance of Allah subhanahu wa

taala which is to look at the face of

Allah subhah

waala as was reported by IM Muslim in

his Hadith so that is what is what is

meaning what the meaning of Z in in this

respect so that is that is important and

uh in this uh respect um you would be

asked for example what is uh the meaning

ofran Quran and Quran how would you how

how would you you know give me give me

examples of how would the Quran explains

itself look through the Glorious Quran

and find examples also find examples how

in the Hadith of the Prophet peace be

upon him you can go back to some of the

books of

Hadith and look for some explanations of

the go Quran some some authors in in in

the books of Hadith have given like um

explaining uh the glorious Quran you'd

find that in the books of Hadith find

out uh these and um and and take the

examples secondly uh the people of

knowledge talked about uh the uh gazing

at the countenance of Allah subhana T

looking at the face of Allah subh of

course on the day of judgment who's

going to be able to do that can you can

you go a go ahead and and find the um

various opinions regarding um looking at

Allah subhana T of course no one is able

to see Allah in um in in this life

however uh the believing men will will

see him and of course you you'll come

across some of the ayas uh like

uh so beautiful shining uh faces will be

looking at uh Allah to to um their Lords

that is Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala so I

need you to mention some of that so

these are the things uh that we are

addressing uh and it's very very

important to first Depend and look at

the explanation and interpretation of

the Glorious Quran from the Quran itself

that's why one has to be knowledgeable

of the Glorious Quran itself and then

you go into the Hadith of the Prophet

sallallahu alaihi wasallam because what

was what would come in general would be

specified and explained in details by

the

prophet and then also some other uh uh

opinions which which all come inshallah

in the coming episode regarding the uh

uh three uh other ways of how T

developed through history and how it

depended first on the explanation of the

Quran by the Glorious Quran and the

explanation of the Quran by the Sunnah

and Hadi of the prophet

sallam and I'm very happy and glad to be

with you and inshallah in the coming

episode we'll cover the other ways and

how this developed through uh history

until we have today all these uh books

uh huge books of Tere that have been

developed and are easy and and

accessible uh to all the students of

knowledge until I see you inshallah in

the coming uh lesson I leave you with

Allah's care and

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protection

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for

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for