The Commentary On The Quran Vol. 2 By Al-tabari

The Indispensable Classic: A Deep Dive into "The Commentary on the Quran Vol. 2" by Al-Tabari

For any serious student of Islam, Quranic exegesis (Tafsir) is not merely an explanation of words; it is a journey through history, law, language, and spirituality. At the pinnacle of this scholarly tradition stands a single, monumental work: Jami' al-bayan 'an ta'wil ay al-Qur'an (The Comprehensive Exposition of the Interpretation of the Verses of the Qur'an), commonly known as Tafsir al-Tabari.

Within this 30-volume masterpiece, "The Commentary on the Quran Vol. 2 by Al-Tabari" holds a particularly significant position. It is more than just a continuation of the first volume; it is the gateway where the foundational principles of the Quranic narrative begin to lock into place. This article provides an exhaustive exploration of Volume 2, its author, its methodology, its content, and its lasting legacy. The Commentary On The Quran Vol. 2 By Al-tabari

3. The Divine Throne and Kursi (Al-Baqarah 2:255)

The commentary on Ayat al-Kursi is a theological highlight. Al-Tabari seeks to explain the difference between the Throne (Arsh) and the Footstool (Kursi). He narrates traditions from Ibn Abbas suggesting that the seven heavens and the earth are like a ring thrown into a desert compared to the Kursi, and the Kursi is like that ring compared to the Arsh. Al-Tabari warns against diving into the "how" (kayfiyyah) of these divine attributes, sticking instead to the linguistic and transmitted meaning—a hallmark of the Salafi methodology that would later be championed by Ibn Taymiyyah. The Indispensable Classic: A Deep Dive into "The

2. Key Content in Volume 2

This volume is dense with legal and theological discourse. Key sections include: The Verse of the Throne (Ayat al-Kursi, 2:255):

• The Verse of the Throne (Ayat al-Kursi, 2:255): Al-Tabari provides a profound breakdown of God’s attributes—His knowledge, His throne, and His omnipresence. This section is essential for understanding classical Sunni theology regarding the nature of God.
• The Verse of Debt (Ayat al-Dayn, 2:282): This is the longest verse in the Quran, dealing with contract law and witnesses. Al-Tabari’s commentary here is a masterclass in early Islamic commercial law, dissecting the necessity of written contracts to prevent dispute.
• Prohibition of Usury (Riba, 2:275): The volume details the fierce condemnation of usury. Al-Tabari collates various narrations defining exactly what constitutes riba, providing the foundational exegesis for Islamic finance.
• The "Parable of the Fly" (2:26): Al-Tabari addresses the polemical verses regarding those who mock the Quran, offering defenses based on the eloquence and truth of the revelation.
• Transition to Surah Al-Imran: The volume concludes with the opening of the third chapter, introducing the story of the family of Imran (father of Maryam/Mary), bridging the gap between the legislative rigor of Al-Baqarah and the theological narratives of Al-Imran.

Literary and intellectual merits

• Balances philology, jurisprudence, and narrative reports—valuable for multidisciplinary study.
• His citation technique preserves variant voices from the formative centuries of Islam.
• The prose combines formal Arabic classical style with concise explanatory notes suitable for scholarly readers.

Short critique

• Strength: unparalleled preservation of early tafsir material.
• Limitation: can be overwhelming for lay readers due to multiplicity of views and minimal synthesis; theological or legal stances are not always clarified.

What You’ll Find in Volume 2

Volume 2 primarily continues the exposition of Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow) , the longest chapter in the Quran. Depending on the edition (such as the widely used Dar-us-Salam 30-volume set), this volume roughly covers verses 40 to 141.

These verses are not simple narratives. They are a dense legal, theological, and historical tapestry. This section deals with:

• The Children of Israel and their covenant with God.
• The story of the golden calf.
• The changing of the Qibla (direction of prayer) from Jerusalem to Mecca.
• Early legal rulings on fasting, dietary laws, and retaliation (Qisas).

In less capable hands, this material would be a mess. In Al-Tabari’s hands, it becomes a courtroom, a library, and a time machine all at once.