Tafsir of Quran is important because it helps us understand the meaning of the Quranic verses and learn from its teaching. The holy Quran guides us in all aspects of life, Allah Almighty says in the Quran:
“Verily this Quran guides to the Way that is the Straight most. To those who believe in it, and do righteous works, it gives the good news that a great reward awaits them. (Al-Isra: 9)
It’s a dream of every Muslim to learn and understand the Quranic verses without needing any help. That is why tafsir is essential if you seek to learn Quran reading or memorize its verses.
If you seek to discover the importance of learning Quran tafsir and how it benefits us in life then keep reading.
Why tafsir of Quran is important?
Tafsir of Quran is important because it is the tool that help us discover and learn the meaning of the Quranic verses, learn from its teachings, understand its lessons and be guided by it. Understanding the Quran brings us closer to Allah and strengthen our connection with him. Additionally, there will be no misunderstandings and misinterpretations.
1. Understand the meaning of the Quran.
The Tafsir of Quran makes it easier for us to understand the meaning of the verses, connect with it, and learn from its teachings and lessons. Hence, you will be guided by it and apply its teachings in your daily life.
2. Read and learn the Quran easily.
Learning the Quran tafseer makes it easier for you to learn Quran reading. Because when you understand the meaning of the verses it will be easier for you to memorize and read it.
3. Memorize Quran faster.
Tafsir of Quran helps you understand the meaning of the verses and when you understand its meaning it will be much easier for you to memorize.
4. Learn about Islam.
From the Quran you an learn about the Islamic teachings, lessons, and beliefs. When learning Tafsir of Quran, it will be easier for you to understand these lessons and teachings.
What is Quran Tafseer?
The Arabic word tafsir or tafseer means interpretation or explanation. It also comes from the Arabic word fassara which means to clarify or explain. Now what does the tafsir of Quran means? It means to explain the meaning of the Quranic verses without making any mistake in the Arabic syntax, grammar, literature, and Quranic sciences.
To be able to explain the Quranic verses one must be aware of the when the verse was revealed and why. The word tafsir were mentioned in the holy Quran in the following verse:
“And they do not come to you with an example [i.e., argument] except that We bring you the truth and the best explanation”. (Al-Furqan: 33)
Studying the tafsir of Quran is not an easy task, it needs a lot of time and commitment. Having a basic knowledge of Islam doesn’t mean that it will make it easy for you to learn tafseer. To be able to learn it easily you should have a strong knowledge of the Islamic history and religion.
A person who has a strong knowledge of the Islamic religion and the holy Quran is called a Mufassir. So when you be able to provide tafsir you will be called a Mufassir.
How to study Tafsir in 4 easy steps?
In the past the tafsir of Quran came from the understanding of the verses of the Quran itself, the interpretation of the prophet (peace and blessing be upon him), and then from their own understanding. That’s how it was in the past and how it still is until now. Now let’s see how to study tafsir:
1. Studying tafsir through the holy Quran:
The first step is to study tafsir from the Quran itself, it is the most effective method. This method follows the explanation of one verse that refers to another verse. Let’s take an example to make it easier to understand, the answer to the question will Allah forgive the person who sinned polytheism or not, the following verse answers the question:
“Surely Allah does not forgive that a partner is ascribed to Him, although He forgives any other sins for whomever He wills. He who associates anyone with Allah in His divinity has indeed forged a mighty lie and committed a grave sin. (An-Nisa: 48)
However, there is another verse telling us that Allah will forgive the idol worshippers if they sincerely repent before dying. Here it is:
“Say (This is addressed to the Prophet), “O My bondmen who have been extravagant against themselves, (i.e., who have committed sins) do not feel despondent of the mercy of Allah! Surely Allah forgives guilty (deeds) altogether; surely, He, Ever He, is The Ever-Forgiving, The Ever-Merciful. (Az-Zumar: 53)
1. Through Sunnah:
The other method to study tafsir is through sunnah. You can look for what the prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said about the verse. For example, Allah says in the Holy Quran:
“…and eat and drink until the white thread of the dawn becomes distinct from the black thread; then complete the fast up to the night…” (Al-Baqarah: 187)
The prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) gave the following tafsir of Quran as narrated by Adi bin Hatim: ‘I said, “O Allah’s Messenger (PBUH)! What is the meaning of the white thread distinct from the black thread? Are these two threads?” He said, “You are not intelligent if you watch the two threads.” He then added, “No, it is the darkness of the night and the whiteness of the day. [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
This is how prophet companions used to do to understand the Quran. They used to ask the prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) questions related to Quran and the prophet gave them the explanation they needed.
2. Learn tafsir of Quran is through Aathaar:
What Aathaar means is the sayings of the prophet’s companions. They dependent on the Quran itself first and if they had any problems understanding something they would go asking the prophet (peace and blessing be upon him), then they would rely on their own understanding.
3. Through understanding the Arabic Language
Another way to learn tafsir of Quran is through understanding the grammar, and syntax of the language. but keep in mind that sometimes the literal meaning of a word doesn’t apply to the actual meaning of the Quranic verse.
The Arabic language changed a lot with time and the vocabulary lost its true meaning that’s why you can’t say that the literal meaning of the word can always apply when studying tafsir.
So, this is another method that you could use beside the other methods.
Conclusion.
In conclusion, the tafsir of Quran is an essential tool for understanding the divine messages contained within the holy book. It allows us to delve deeper into the meanings of the verses, learn from their teachings, and apply these lessons in our daily lives. Tafsir helps prevent misinterpretations and ensures we grasp the true intent behind the Quranic revelations.
Through tafsir, we strengthen our connection with Allah and are guided on the right path. Whether through studying the Quran itself, the Prophet’s teachings, or linguistic and historical contexts, tafsir offers a comprehensive approach to unlocking the wisdom of the Quran.
