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On The Quran Vol. 2 By Al-tabari | The Commentary
In the vast ocean of Islamic scholarship, few works command the reverence, authority, and sheer magnitude of Jāmiʿ al-bayān ʿan taʾwīl āy al-Qurʾān , commonly known as the Tafsir al-Tabari . For over a millennium, this monumental exegesis has stood as the bedrock upon which virtually all subsequent Quranic commentary is built. While the complete work spans thirty volumes in its original Arabic, the English-speaking world has been granted a priceless gateway through the translation project titled "The Commentary on the Quran Vol. 2 by Al-Tabari."
This specific volume—part of a wider ongoing translation effort by Oxford University Press and other academic institutions—is not merely a book; it is a time machine and a masterclass in classical hermeneutics. It allows the modern reader to sit at the feet of one of Islam’s greatest polymaths, Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari (839–923 CE). For students of theology, history, and Arabic literature, understanding Volume 2 is essential to grasping how early Muslims understood the Word of God. Before delving into the specific contents of Volume 2, one must appreciate the author. Al-Tabari was a Persian scholar from Amol, Tabaristan (modern-day Iran), who possessed a photographic memory and an insatiable appetite for knowledge. He was a jurist (faqih) who founded his own short-lived school of law (the Jariri school), a historian whose History of the Prophets and Kings remains a primary source for pre-Islamic and early Islamic history, and a Quranic exegete of unparalleled rigor. The Commentary On The Quran Vol. 2 By Al-tabari
His methodology in the Tafsir is remarkably straightforward and revolutionary for its time: He refuses to interpret the Quran merely through opinion ( ra’y ). Instead, he builds every interpretation upon a chain of transmission ( isnad ) going back to the Prophet Muhammad, his Companions (Sahabah), or their immediate successors (Tabi’un). is therefore less of a personal reflection and more of a legal deposition of the early Muslim community’s consensus. What Makes Volume 2 Stand Out? A common question among new students is: Where does Volume 2 begin? Given that the original Arabic Tafsir often spans 30 volumes, the English translation partitions the work into manageable segments. Volume 2 typically covers a significant and theologically dense portion of the Quran, primarily focusing on the latter part of Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow) and the opening of Surah Al-Imran (The Family of Imran). In the vast ocean of Islamic scholarship, few
For anyone serious about understanding the Quran beyond the surface whisper of translation, is not an option—it is a necessity. It reminds us that the Quran is a deep ocean, and with a guide like Al-Tabari, we can finally glimpse its floor. Where to find it: This volume is available through major academic publishers (Oxford University Press), university libraries, and specialized Islamic bookstores. Look for the SUNY Press series or the Great Tafsirs of the Holy Qur’an project for the most recent critical editions. 2 by Al-Tabari
This is not mere pedantry. This is the engine of Islamic orthodoxy. Al-Tabari does not want you to take his word for it. He wants you to audit his sources. In Volume 2, when discussing the abrogation (naskh) of certain verses regarding alcohol or warfare, Al-Tabari lays out contradictory opinions from early scholars like Ibn Abbas and Mujahid, then weighs the strength of their chains. This makes Volume 2 an essential resource for anyone studying Hadith sciences (Mustalah al-Hadith). 1. The Change of Qibla (Al-Baqarah 2:142-150) One of the most fascinating sections in early tafsir literature is the discussion of why Muslims stopped praying toward Jerusalem and turned toward Mecca. Al-Tabari compiles reports describing the anxiety of the early Muslim community in Medina. Volume 2 meticulously records the Jewish objections to this change and provides the Quranic rebuttal. Al-Tabari concludes with a powerful legal maxim: Obedience to God’s current command (facing the Kaaba) is superior to clinging to a previous law (facing Jerusalem). 2. The Verse of Debt (Al-Baqarah 2:282) Often called the longest verse in the Quran, the "Verse of Debt" outlines Islamic contract law regarding loans. Al-Tabari spends dozens of pages in Volume 2 analyzing a single phrase: "And bring to witness two witnesses from among your men." He asks: What if two men are not available? What if the witnesses are slaves or non-Muslims? He compares the opinions of the jurists of Medina (Malik’s precursors) and the jurists of Iraq (Abu Hanifa’s precursors). This section alone makes Volume 2 a foundational text for Islamic finance. 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. 4. The Family of Imran: Mary and Jesus As Volume 2 transitions into Surah Al-Imran, the tone shifts from law to narrative theology. Al-Tabari provides a detailed historical background of the birth of Maryam, relying heavily on Judeo-Christian traditions (Isra’iliyyat) that he deems historically useful, though not theologically binding. He traces the miracle of Prophet Isa speaking in the cradle and his creation "like Adam" (from dust). This section is critical for interfaith dialogue, as Al-Tabari refutes both Jewish slander of Mary and Christian claims of Jesus’ divinity, presenting the Quranic golden mean. Why You Need This Specific Volume: Academic and Spiritual Benefits Whether you are a university scholar, a seminary student, or a lay Muslim seeking depth, "The Commentary on the Quran Vol. 2 by Al-Tabari" offers unique advantages.
Owning this volume is like possessing a master key to the scholarly tradition. When you read Volume 2, you are not just reading Al-Tabari; you are reading through him the voices of Ibn Abbas, Ali ibn Abi Talib, Mujahid, Qatadah, and scores of early masters. You witness the living, breathing process of interpretation—where faith meets reason, where revelation interacts with history, and where the Word of God is defended, explained, and cherished.
