ABOUT TAFSIR IBN KATHIR:
TAFSIR AL-QUR'AN AL-'AZIM popularly known as Tafsir Ibn Kathir by Imam Isma'il Ibn Kathir (d. 774) is one of the best known Qur'anic exegeses if not the best. It is celebrated due to its reliance of exactitude on explaining the verses through another verses or Ahadith. It also heavily relies on lexicon of the Arabic language in all of its shapes and forms. The opinions of the companions and their students is produced to elucidate the precise meaning, or most likely agreed upon position. It is considered to be a summary of the earlier tafsir by at-Tabari, Tafsir al-Tabari. It is especially popular because it uses the hadith to explain each verse and chapter of the Qur'an.
Egyptian scholar Ahmad Muhammad Shakir (1892–1958) edited Ibn Kathir's Tafsir as ʿUmdat at-Tafsīr in five volumes published during 1956–1958. Faḍāʾil al-Qurʾān (فضائل القرآن) was intended as an annex to the Tafsir. It is a brief textual history of the Qur'an, its collection and redaction after the death of the prophet.
تفسير القرآن العظيم المشهور بـ "تفسير ابن كثير"، للإمام عماد الدين أبي الفداء إسماعيل بن كثير القرشي الدمشقي المعروف بابن كثير (المتوفى 774 هـ)، هو من أشهر الكتب الإسلامية المختصة بعلم تفسير القرآن الكريم، ويُعدُّ من أشهر ما دُوِّن في موضوع التفسير بالمأثور أو تفسير القرآن بالقرآن، فيعتمد على تفسير القرآن بالقرآن الكريم، والسنة النبوية، وكذلك يذكر الأحاديث والآثار المسندة إلى أصحابها، وأقوال الصحابة والتابعين، كما اهتم باللغة العربية وعلومها، واهتم بالأسانيد ونقدها، واهتم بذكر القراءات المختلفة وأسباب نزول الآيات، كما يشتمل على الأحكام الفقهية، ويعتني بالأحاديث النبوية، ويشتهر بأنه يخلو من الإسرائيليات تقريبًا، ويضعه البعض بعد تفسير الطبري في المنزلة، ويفضله آخرون عليه.
أشهر مختصرات تفسير ابن كثير هي:
--- عمدة التفسير عن الحافظ ابن كثير، للشيخ أحمد محمد شاكر (1892م-1958م).
--- تيسير العلي القدير لاختصار تفسير ابن كثير، للشيخ محمد نسيب الرفاعي.
--- حسن التحرير في تهذيب تفسير ابن كثير، للشيخ محمد الحمود النجدي.
--- القبس المنير مختصر تفسير ابن كثير، لمحمد سليمان الأشقر (1930-2009م).
--- المصباح المنير في تهذيب تفسير ابن كثير، لصفي الرحمن المباركفوري (1943-2006م).
--- اليسير في اختصار تفسير ابن كثير، اختصره ثلاثة من مدرسي دار الحديث الخيرية بمكة المكرمة، وهم:
صلاح بن محمد عرفات، ومحمد بن عبد الله الشنقيطي، وخالد بن فوزي عبد الحمي
ABOUT THE MUKHTASAR TAFSIR IBN KATHIR:
This mukhtasar is the one of the best studied version of the Tafsir Ibn Kathir in modern day Islamic studies. It is a simple and loose rendition of the larger and more detailed commentary of Ibn Kathir. Removing much of the chain and transmission details reproduced by Ibn Kathir in his version of Imam al-Tabari's larger Tafsir.
فقد قيض اللّه - جل ثناؤه - لكتابه العزيز علماء أتقياء، ومخلصين أوفياء، من أعلام الهدى، وأئمـة الصـلاح والدين، سهروا على خدمة القرآن العظيم، وبذلوا قصارى جهدهم لتوضيح معانيه، وبيان أسـراره، وكشـف دقائقـه، واستخراج ما فيه من حكم وأسرار، وما احتوى عليه من روائع وعجائب، فكان منهم من سلك طريق الأيجاز، ومنه من سلك طريق الإسهاب والإطناب، ومنهم من اقتصر على التفسير بالمأثور، ومنهم من جمع بين (الرواية والدراية) إلى غير ما هنالك من طرائق المفسرين وأساليبهم في القديم والحديث. ولقد كان الإمام العلاّمة، الحافظ الثبت الثقة أبو الفداء (إسماعيل بن كثير (تنظر ترجمة المؤلف في كتاب (المنهل الصـافي ) للمؤرخ الشهير جمال الدين المعر وف بابن تغري، وكتاب (الدرر الكامنة) للحافظ ابن حجر العسقلاني، و (ذيل التذكرة) للحافظ أبي المحاسن الحسيني، و (شذرات الذهب في أخبار من ذهب ) لعبد الحي بن العماد الحنبيل، و (كشف الظنـون ) لحاجي خليفة، و (الرد الوافر) لابن ناصر الدين الدمشقي.) المتوفى سنة /774 /هجرية في مقدمة هؤلاء الأئمة الأعـلام من جهابذة المفسرين، وقد وضع تفسيرا للكتاب الكريم سماه (تفسير القرآن العظيم) وتفسيره هذا من خير كتب التفسـير بالمأثور ومن أوثقها، وهو تفسير جامع بين (الرواية) و (الدراية) .. يفسر القرآن بالقرآن، ثم بالأحاديـث المشـهورة في دواوين السنة المطهرة بأسانيدها، ويتكلم على الأسانيد جرحا وتعديلاً، فيبين ما فيها من صحيح وضـعيف، وغريـب أو شاذ، ثم يذكر آثار الصحابة والتابيعن، قال السيوطي فيه : "لم يؤلف على نمطه مثله" وقد وضح ابن كثير رحمـه اللّـه في مقدمة تفسيره هذا المنهج الذي سلكه في تف سيره فقال : "فإن قال قائل: فما أحسن طرق التفسير؟ فـالجواب : أن أصـح الطرق في ذلك أن يفسر القرآن بالقرآن . فما أُجمل في مكان، فإنه قد بسط في موضع آخر، فإن أعياك ذلـك فعليـك
In this print, is the publication of the Shaykhs own publication house, though the print quality could have been better, the text is genuine representation of the Shaykhs own well taught text of Ibn Kathirs Tafsir.
ABOUT IMAM IBN KATHIR:
He is the respected Imam, Abu Al-Fida', `Imad Ad-Din Isma il bin 'Umar bin Kathir Al-Qurashi Al-Busrawi - Busraian in origin; Dimashqi in training, learning and residence. Ibn Kathir was born in the city of Busra in 701 H. His father was the Friday speaker of the village, but he died while Ibn Kathir was only four years old. Ibn Kathir's brother, Shaykh Abdul-Wahhab, reared him and taught him until he moved to Damascus in 706 H., when he was five years old.
Ibn Kathir's Teachers
Ibn Kathir studied Fiqh - Islamic jurisprudence - with Burhan Ad-Din, Ibrahim bin `Abdur-Rahman Al-Fizari, known as Ibn Al-Firkah (who died in 729 H). Ibn Kathir heard Hadiths from `Isa bin Al-Mutim, Ahmad bin Abi Talib, (Ibn Ash-Shahnah) (who died in 730 H), Ibn Al-Hajjar, (who died in 730 H), and the Hadith narrator of Ash-Sham (modern day Syria and surrounding areas); Baha Ad-Din Al-Qasim bin Muzaffar bin `Asakir (who died in 723 H), and Ibn Ash-Shirdzi, Ishaq bin Yahya Al-Ammuddi, also known as `Afif Ad-Din, the Zahiriyyah Shaykh who died in 725 H, and Muhammad bin Zarrad. He remained with Jamal Ad-Din, Yusuf bin Az-Zaki AlMizzi who died in 724 H, he benefited from his knowledge and also married his daughter. He also read with Shaykh Al-Islam, Taqi Ad-Din Ahmad bin `Abdul-Halim bin `Abdus-Salam bin Taymiyyah who died in 728 H. He also read with the Imam Hafiz and historian Shams Ad-Din, Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Uthman bin Qaymaz Adh-Dhahabi, who died in 748 H. Also, Abu Musa Al-Qarafai, Abu Al-Fath Ad-Dabbusi and 'Ali bin `Umar As-Suwani and others who gave him permission to transmit the knowledge he learned with them in Egypt.
In his book, Al-Mu jam Al-Mukhtas, Al-Hafiz Adh-Dhaliabi wrote that Ibn Kathir was, "The Imam, scholar of jurisprudence, skillful scholar of Hadith, renowned Fagih and scholar of Tafsir who wrote several beneficial books." Further, in Ad-Durar Al-Kdminah, Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar AlAsqalani said, "Ibn Kathir worked on the subject of the Hadith in the areas of texts and chains of narrators. He had a good memory, his books became popular during his lifetime, and people benefited from them after his death." Also, the renowned historian Abu Al-Mahasin, Jamal Ad-Din Yusuf bin Sayf Ad-Din (Ibn Taghri Bardi), said in his book, AlManhal As-Safi, "He is the Shaykh, the Imam, the great scholar `Imad Ad-Din Abu Al-Fida'. He learned extensively and was very active in collecting knowledge and writing. He was excellent in the areas of Fiqh, Tafsfr and Hadith. He collected knowledge, authored (books), taught, narrated Hadith and wrote. He had immense knowledge in the fields of Hadith, Tafsir, Fiqh, the Arabic language, and so forth. He gave Fatawa (religious verdicts) and taught until he died, may Allah grant him mercy. He was known for his precision and vast knowledge, and as a scholar of history, Hadith and Tafsir."
Ibn Kathir's Students
Ibn Hajji was one of Ibn Kathir's students, and he described Ibn Kathir: "He had the best memory of the Hadith texts. He also had the most knowledge concerning the narrators and authenticity, his contemporaries and teachers admitted to these qualities. Every time I met him I gained some benefit from him." Also, Ibn Al-`Imad Al-Hanbali said in his book, Shadhardt Adh-Dhahab, "He is the renowned Hafiz `Imad Ad-Din, whose memory was excellent, whose forgetfulness was miniscule, whose understanding was adequate, and who had good knowledge in the Arabic language." Also, Ibn Habib said about Ibn Kathir, "He heard knowledge and collected it and wrote various books. He brought comfort to the ears with his Fatwas and narrated Hadith and brought benefit to other people. The papers that contained his Fatwas were transmitted to the various (Islamic) provinces. Further, he was known for his precision and encompassing knowledge."
Ibn Kathir's Books
One of the greatest books that Ibn Kathir wrote was his Tafsir of the Noble Qur'an, which is one of the best Tafsir that rely on narrations [of Ahadith, the Tafsir of the Companions, etc.]. The Tafsir by Ibn Kathir was printed many times and several scholars have summarized it.
The History Collection known as Al-Biddyah, which was printed in 14 volumes under the name Al-Bidayah wanNihdyah, and contained the stories of the Prophets and previous nations, the Prophet's Seerah (life story) and Islamic history until his time. He also added a book Al-Fitan, about the Signs of the Last Hour.
At-Takmil ft Ma`rifat Ath-Thiqatwa Ad-Du'afa walMajdhil which Ibn Kathir collected from the books of his two Shaykhs Al-Mizzi and Adh-Dhahabi; Al-Kdmal and Mizan Al-Ftiddl. He added several benefits regarding the subject of Al-Jarh and AtT'adil.
Al-Hadi was-Sunan ft Ahadith Al-Masdnfd was-Sunan which is also known by, Jami` Al-Masdnfd. In this book, Ibn Kathir collected the narrations of Imams Ahmad bin Hanbal, Al-Bazzar, Abu Ya`la Al-Mawsili, Ibn Abi Shaybah and from the six collections of Hadith: the Two Sahihs [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] and the Four Sunan [Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi, AnNasa and Ibn Majah]. Ibn Kathir divided this book according to areas of Fiqh.
Tabaqat Ash-Shafiyah which also contains the virtues of Imam Ash-Shafi.
Ibn Kathir wrote references for the Ahadith of Adillat AtTanbfh, from the Shafi school of Fiqh.
Ibn Kathir began an explanation of Sahih Al-Bukhari, but he did not finish it.
He started writing a large volume on the Ahkam (Laws), but finished only up to the Hajj rituals.
He summarized Al-Bayhaqi's 'Al-Madkhal. Many of these books were not printed.
He summarized `Ulum Al-Hadith, by Abu `Amr bin AsSalah and called it Mukhtasar `Ulum Al-Hadith. Shaykh Ahmad Shakir, the Egyptian Muhaddith, printed this book along with his commentary on it and called it Al-Ba'th Al-Hathfth fi Sharh Mukhtasar `Ulum Al-Hadith.
As-Sfrah An-Nabawiyyah, which is contained in his book Al-Biddyah, and both of these books are in print.
A research on Jihad called Al-Ijtihad ft Talabi Al-Jihad, which was printed several times.
Ibn Kathir's Death
Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al-Asgalani said, "Ibn Kathir lost his sight just before his life ended. He died in Damascus in 774 H." May Allah grant mercy upon Ibn Kathir and make him among the residents of His Paradise.
(By Shaykh `Abdul-Qadir Al-Arna'ut)
ABOUT SHAYKH MOHAMMED ALI AL-SABUNI:
Shaykh Muhammad ‘Alī al-Sābūnī was born in the city of Aleppo in Syria in 1930. His father was one of the senior scholars of Aleppo. He received much of his initial and formal education in Arabic, inheritance and sciences of religion from his father, Shaykh Jamīl. He memorized the Qur’ān in the primary schools and completed his higher secondary school while still young. Shaykh al- abūnī studied under some of the leading scholars of the city. Some of his most prominent teachers were: Shaykh Muhammad Najīb Sirājuddīn, Shaykh Ahmad al-Shamā‘, Shaykh Muhammad Sa‘īd al-Idlibi, Shaykh Muhammad Rāghib al-Tabbākh, Shaykh Muhammad Najīb Khayātah
In addition he attended other lessons with other ‘Ulemā in various mosques. He continued his formal education in the government schools. After obtaining his primary school certificate he enrolled at the Madrassa al-Tijariyya where he studied for one year. He was disinclined because they were teaching the students about interest based transactions. Even though he obtained the best results he left and instead he joined the famous Khasrawiyya school of Sharī‘ah in Aleppo. Here he combined Islamic Studies and studies in the secular subjects. He graduated in 1949. He graduated with excellent results and the Ministry of Awqāf (Endowments) sent him to further his studies at the famous al-Azhar University in Egypt. He graduated from the Faculty of Sharī‘ah in 1952 and he completed his specialization course in 1954.
After completing his studies, he returned to Aleppo where he taught Islamic education in various secondary schools in the city. He taught for about eight years from 1955 to 1962. He was appointed as lecturer at the Faculty of Sharī‘ah at the Umm al-Qurā’ University and at the Faculty of Education of the King ‘Abdul Azīz University both in Mecca, where he taught for about 28 years. Many prominent scholars graduated under his guidance. Due to his academic work and his writing the University assigned some additional tasks to him. These included editing some classical for the Centre for Academic Research and Reviving the Islamic Heritage.
He edited Ma‘ani al-Qur’ān by Imām Abū Jā‘far al-Nahhās (d. 338). This book was published in 6 volumes. Thereafter he worked as an advisor with the Muslim World League in the Council for Scientific Research in the Qur’ān and the Sunnah. He remained there for a few years after which he devoted himself entirely to writing and to research.
Shaykh al-Sābūnī authored numerous books which were received all over the world and many were even translated into other languages. He even conducted some lessons in the Karām of Mecca. He also conducted a weekly lesson in one of the mosques of Jeddah in Tafsīr. This lesson continued for about eight years during which he completed about two-thirds of the Qur’ān. These lessons were recorded on audio 3 cassettes. He also recorded about 600 programmes for television broadcast.He completed this in 1998 (1419).
Some of the books he wrote are:
• Safwat al-Tafāsīr
• Rawā’i al-Bayān fī Tafsīr Āyāt al-Ahkām
• Qabas min Nūr al-Qur’ān al-Karīm
• Al-Tafsīr al-WāMi al-Muyassar
• Kashf al-Iftira’āt fī Risālat al-Tanbihāt Kawla afwat al-Tafāsīr
• Al-Tabsīr bi-mā fī Rasā’il Bakr Abū Zayd min al-Tazwīr
In 2007, the Organizing Committee for the Dubai International Qur’ān Award chose Shaykh Muhammad‘Alī al- ābūnī as the personality of the Muslim World for his contribution to Islam. He was selected from a large list of other nominees and was approved by Prince Mu ammad ibn Rāshid Āl-Maktūm, Deputy of the Head of State of Dubai. Over a period of eleven years many renowned scholars were honoured in this way. One of them includes, for example, Shaykh YūRuf al-QaraMāwī.