A translation tells you what a verse says. Tafsir helps you understand what it means – in its context, in the light of other verses and of the Sunnah, and as it was understood by the first generations of Muslims. Allah describes the Quran as "a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, that they might reflect upon its verses" 38:29. Tafsir is one of the most important tools for that reflection.
What is tafsir?
The Arabic word tafsir comes from a root meaning "to uncover" or "to clarify". In Islamic scholarship, it is the discipline of explaining the meanings of the Quran.
A tafsir typically covers:
- The meaning of words and grammatical points
- The context: when and why a verse was revealed (asbab an-nuzul), where this is known
- Connections to other verses that explain or complement it
- Relevant hadith of the Prophet ﷺ
- Statements of the companions and the following generation
- Lessons and rulings that scholars derived from the verse
The sources of tafsir
Classical scholars followed a clear order of sources:
- The Quran explaining itself. Often one verse clarifies another.
- The Sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ explained the Quran through his words and actions.
- The companions. They witnessed the revelation and knew its circumstances. Ibn 'Abbas and Ibn Mas'ud are among those known for their knowledge of tafsir.
- The following generation (tabi'un), who learned from the companions.
- The Arabic language in which the Quran was revealed.
Explanation based mainly on transmitted reports is called tafsir bil-ma'thur. Explanation that also uses sound scholarly reasoning, grounded in the language and the sources above, is called tafsir bir-ra'y. Scholars warned against interpreting the Quran by mere personal opinion without knowledge.
Classical and modern works
Over the centuries, scholars wrote many works of tafsir. A few well-known ones:
Tafsir Ibn Kathir
Written by Isma'il ibn Kathir (died 774 AH / 1373 CE) in Damascus. It is one of the most widely read tafsirs. Ibn Kathir explains verses first with other verses, then with hadith and the statements of the early generations. Quran Masterclass shows an abridged English version.
Tafsir at-Tabari
Jami' al-Bayan by Muhammad ibn Jarir at-Tabari (died 310 AH / 923 CE) is one of the earliest comprehensive tafsirs. It collects a large number of reports from the early generations and became a key reference for later scholars.
Tafsir al-Qurtubi
Al-Jami' li-Ahkam al-Qur'an by al-Qurtubi (died 671 AH / 1273 CE) is especially known for its detailed discussion of legal rulings.
Tafsir al-Jalalayn
A concise tafsir begun by Jalal ad-Din al-Mahalli and completed by his student Jalal ad-Din as-Suyuti. It is valued for its brevity and is often used in teaching.
Ma'arif al-Qur'an
Written in Urdu by Mufti Muhammad Shafi' in the twentieth century and translated into English. It combines classical explanation with guidance for daily life and is available in the app.
Tazkirul Quran
A modern English commentary by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, focused on the spiritual message and reflection. It is also shown in the app.
How to read tafsir
Tafsir can feel overwhelming at first, especially the longer works. These steps help:
- Read the verse first, in Arabic and in translation.
- Look at the key words. Word-by-word meaning shows you which word carries which idea.
- Read the tafsir slowly. Focus on the main point, not every detail.
- Note one lesson. What does this verse teach about Allah, about people, about how to live?
- Keep the source in mind. Different scholars may emphasise different aspects. That is normal and part of a rich tradition.
- Ask when unsure. If a passage raises questions, especially about rulings, ask a qualified scholar.
Tafsir in Quran Masterclass
In Quran Masterclass, the tafsir appears next to each verse while you listen. On a phone, it opens as a sheet from the bottom of the screen; on larger screens, it sits beside the text.
A few things to know:
- The source is always shown under the text, so you know whose explanation you are reading.
- You can switch between tafsirs, for example from Ibn Kathir to Ma'arif al-Qur'an.
- One explanation often covers several verses. Classical scholars sometimes explain a group of verses together. The app then shows which verses the commentary covers.
- Languages: where no tafsir is available in your language yet, an English tafsir is shown.
Tafsir is also step five of the Shams Method, developed by Nami Shams. After listening, building up the verse and learning its word meanings, you read the classical explanation. Understanding why a verse was revealed and what it teaches makes it much easier to remember.
Tafsir and translation are not the same
A translation is already a form of interpretation: the translator has to choose one word where Arabic may carry several shades of meaning. Reading tafsir alongside a translation shows you that depth. It also helps you avoid misunderstandings, for example when a verse refers to a specific historical event.
Where to begin
A good place to start is with surahs you already recite:
- Al-Fatiha – the opening of the Quran
- Al-Ikhlas – the oneness of Allah
- Al-'Asr – three verses that summarise success and loss
- Al-Mulk – often recited in the evening
Reading the tafsir of surahs you pray with every day can change the way you experience your prayer.
Build your understanding step by step
Tafsir becomes easier as your vocabulary grows. Our guide to Quranic Arabic vocabulary shows how a core set of words and roots opens many verses at once. And if you are just starting out, read our complete beginner's guide.
A note of care
The Quran is the word of Allah, and explaining it is a serious responsibility. Quran Masterclass is a learning platform, not a source of new interpretations: the tafsir shown is always labelled with its source. For personal questions and religious rulings, please turn to a qualified scholar.