Tafsīr (Qur’ān Explanation)

Tafsīr is the subject which deals with the interpretation and clear understanding of the verses of the Qur’ān. This makes Tafsīr an essential subject for anyone wanting to correctly understand the Holy Qur’ān within its context of revelation.

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Module Overview

This is a 2 year module which is part of the 'Diploma in Islamic Studies' course which will provide students with a broad understanding of the Qur'ān and its sciences. It opens the student up to the Qur’ānic miracle through various examples. Finally, it builds students knowledge from learning about various important surahs commencing with the last 10 surahs.

The first year will cover the study of majority of the 30th Juz alongside other important and well known surahs with its translation, cause of revelation and meaning. The 30th Juz is the chapter of Qur'ān which is recited frequently in the 5 daily Salāh hence its selection in this course.

The second year of the module will focus on the scientific and the miraculous aspects of Qur'ān giving a firm understanding of how Qur'ān is the true word of Allāh alone.

Misconceptions related to the Qur'ān such as Orientalism, the satanic verses, Abrogation in the Qur'ān will also be examined giving a good understanding of the baseless claims.

This course ends with an in-depth Tafsīr of Surah Al-Kahf giving a comprehensive overview of the sciences of the Qur'ān, including current day objections and their responses drawing on classical sources embedded within the modern-day context.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this module the student will be able to:
- Attain a good understanding on how the verses of the Qur'ān were revealed and the causes of revelation known as asbāb al-nuzūl
- Be able to ponder and understand the meaning of Qur’ānic verses
- Appreciate the efforts behind the compilation and preservation of the Qur'ān
- Understand the misconceptions surrounding the Holy Qur'ān and how to respond to them and
- Appreciate the divine nature of the Qur’ān through a multi-faceted study of its miraculous aspects, thus establishing that it can only be the words of Allāh ﷻ.

SYLLABUS

Year 1

Teacher: Mawlānā Anas
Day/ Time: Wednesday | 7.15pm – 8pm

Term 1

Introduction to Quran and Compilation

September to December, [17 weeks]
[Week] - [Week Beginning] - [Content]

W1 | 02/09/2024 - INSET
W2 | 09/09/2024 - Introduction to Tafsir
W3 | 16/09/2024 - Category of Verses and Revelation
W4 | 23/09/2024 - Compilation of the Qur'an
W5 | 30/09/2024 - Surah Fatihah
W6 | 07/10/2024 - Surah Falaq and Nas
W7 | 14/10/2024 - Surah Ikhlas
W8 | 21/10/2024 - Surah Lahab
W9 | 28/10/2024 - Surah Nasr
W10 | 04/11/2024 - Surah Kafirun
W11 | 11/11/2024 - Surah Kawthar
W12 | 18/11/2024 - Surah Maun
W13 | 25/11/2024 - Surah Quraish
W14 | 02/12/2024 - Surah Feel
W15 | 09/12/2024 - Revision
W16 | 16/12/2024 - Term 1 Examinations
W17 | 23/12/2024 - EOT Break

Term 2

Tafsīr of Surah Humazah to Alaq

Term 2, 1st January 2024 to 3rd May 2024, [18 weeks]

[Week] - [Week Beginning] - [Content]

W1 |  01/01/24  - Exam Feedback + Surah Duha    
W2 |  08/01/24  - Surah Inshirah    
W3 |  15/01/24  - Surah Teen    
W4 |  22/01/24  - Surah Alaq    
W5 |  29/01/24  - Surah Qadr    
W6 |  05/02/24  - Surah Bayyinah    
W7 |  12/02/24  - Surah Zalzalah    
W8 |  19/02/24  - Surah Aadiyaat    
W9 |  26/02/24  - Surah Qari'ah    
W10 |  04/03/24  - Surah Takathur    
W11 |  11/03/24  - Ramadan Break & Revision    
W12 |  18/03/24  - Ramadan Break & Revision    
W13 |  25/03/24  - Ramadan Break & Revision    
W14 |  01/04/24  - Ramadan Break & Revision    
W15 |  08/04/24  - Ramadan Break & Revision    

W16 |  15/04/24  - Surah Asr    
W17 |  22/04/24  - Surah Humazah    
W18 |  29/04/24  - Term 2 Examinations

Term 3

Tafsīr of Surah Mulk and Waqiah and Assesements

Term 3, 6th May 2024 to 30th August 2024, [17 weeks]

[Week] - [Week Beginning] - [Content]

W1 |  06/05/24  - Exam Feedback + Term
Introduction    
W2 |  13/05/24  - Surah Naba 1    
W3 |  20/05/24  - Surah Naba 2    
W4 |  27/05/24  - Surah Naziat 1    
W5 |  03/06/24  - Surah Naziat 2    
W6 |  10/06/24  - Surah Abas    
W7 |  17/06/24  - Eid ul Adha Break    
W8 |  24/06/24  - Surah Takwir    
W9 |  01/07/24  - Surah Infitar    
W10 |  08/07/24  - Surah A'la    
W11 |  15/07/24  - Surah Ghashiyah    
W12 |  22/07/24  - Term 3 Examinations W13 |  29/07/24  - EOY Break    
W14 |  05/08/24  - EOY Break    
W15 |  12/08/24  - EOY Break    
W16 |  19/08/24  - EOY Break    
W17 |  26/08/24  - EOY Break

Year 2

Teacher: Mawlānā Tahir
Day/ Time: Tuesday | 7.15pm - 8pm

Term 1

Introduction to the Qur’ān and its Sciences

September to December, [17 weeks]
[Week] - [Week Beginning] - [Content]


W1 | INSET
W2 | Term Intro + The 5 W’s of the Qur’an
W3 | Types and Stages of Revelation
W4 | Makki and Madani Surahs & Causes of Revelation
W5 | Preservation and Compilation of the Qur’an
W6 | Refuting Objections about the Preservation of the Qur’an
W7 | The Seven Modes of RecitationW8 | Abrogation in the Qur’an
W9 | The Satanic Verses
W10 | Shi’ahs and the Holy Qur’an
W11 | Introduction to the Science of Tafsir
W12 | Chronology of Qur’anic Commentaries and Commentators
W13 | Judeo-Christian Narratives (Isra’iliyyat)
W14 | Ponder vs Tafsir with speculation
W15 | Revision
W16 | Term 1 Examinations
W17 | EOT Break

Term 2

The Qur’ānic Miracle

Term 2, 1st January 2024 to 3rd May 2024, [18 weeks]
[Week] - [Week Beginning] - [Content]

W1 |  01/01/24  - Exam Feedback + Term Introduction The Miraculous Qur’an    
W2 |  08/01/24  - Literary miracle    
W3 |  15/01/24  - Literary miracle continued    
W4 |  22/01/24  - Literary miracle exercise    
W5 |  29/01/24  - Timeless book    
W6 |  05/02/24  - Prophecies    
W7 |  12/02/24  - Lost historical knowledge    
W8 |  19/02/24  - Science in the Qur’an    
W9 |  26/02/24  - Science in the Qur’an continued    
W10 |  04/03/24  - Psychology and Impact    
W11 |  11/03/24  - Ramadan Break & Revision    
W12 |  18/03/24  - Ramadan Break & Revision    
W13 |  25/03/24  - Ramadan Break & Revision    
W14 |  01/04/24  - Ramadan Break & Revision    
W15 |  08/04/24  - Ramadan Break & Revision    

W16 |  15/04/24  - Miscellaneous miracles W17 |  22/04/24  - Revision    
W18 |  29/04/24  - Term 2 Examinations

Term 3

Tafsir of Surah Al Kahf and Surah Yasin

Term 3, 6th May 2024 to 30th August 2024, [17 weeks]
[Week] - [Week Beginning] - [Content]

W1 |  06/05/24  - Exam Feedback + Term Introduction, Surah al-Kahf Verses 1 to 9, Introduction and virtues    
W2 |  13/05/24  - Verses 10 to 22, The people of the cave    
W3 |  20/05/24  - Verses 23 to 31, Principles to protect faith    
W4 |  27/05/24  - Verses 32 to 59, Three parables    
W5 |  03/06/24  - Verses 60 to 82, Musa (AS) and Khidr    
W6 |  10/06/24  - Verses 83 to 101, Dhul Qarnain    
W7 |  17/06/24  - Eid ul Adha Break    
W8 |  24/06/24  - Verses 102 to 110, Conclusion and summary    
W9 |  01/07/24  - Surah Mulk First Half    
W10 |  08/07/24  - Surah Mulk Second Half    
W11 |  15/07/24  - Summary & Revision    
W12 |  22/07/24  - Term 3 Examinations
W13 |  29/07/24  - EOY Break    
W14 |  05/08/24  - EOY Break    
W15 |  12/08/24  - EOY Break    
W16 |  19/08/24  - EOY Break    
W17 |  26/08/24  - EOY Break

RECOMMENDED

Reads

Quraan Made Easy

Co-ordinator: Mufti Afzal Hoosen Elias

This is a translation of  the Holy Qur’an in contemporary English to make reading easy and  understandable. The prose is lucid whilst staying true to the meaning of the  Arabic. The Arabic verse is presented parallel to the English translation  enabling the reader to read both the Arabic and English together for better  comprehension. A key feature of this translation is the explanatory notes  which are provided in brackets embedded within the translation rather than  separately in the footnotes. This allows the reader to grasp the meaning of  each verse in its relevant context. The book begins with a concise yet  comprehensive introduction to different aspects of the sciences of the  Qur’an. Likewise, each Surah begins with a short summary along with its link  with the previous surah so the reader can appreciate the interconnectedness  of the Qur’an.  

Ma’ariful Qur’an

Author: Mufti Muhammad Shafi’ Uthmani

Ma’ariful Qur’an is originally an Urdu Tafsīr of the entire Holy Qur’an by the late Grand Mufti of Pakistan, Muhammad Shafi’ Uthmani (RA). This English rendering of the commentary is a vital read for those seeking to understand the message of the Qur’an as explained by the classical commentators and framed within a modern context. The author goes into significant detail regarding each verse, discussing everything from the usage of certain Arabic words to convey meaning to lessons the reader can take and implement to the legal rulings derived from the verse. In short, it is a comprehensive Tafsīr, sufficing the reader from needing to look anywhere else. An important feature is that it is easy to understand for the layman and does not go into too many technical details, thus enabling the reader to keep track of the key messages.

An Approach to the Qur’anic Sciences

Author: Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmani

Written by renowned scholar Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmani, this book is well researched and readable presentation of many of the key discussions of the Qur’anic sciences. The reader will learn about the following topics:
Part 1: Quran
‍-         Revelation(Wahy)
‍-         History ofthe Descent of the Qur'an
‍-         The SevenReadings of the Qur'an
‍-         Abrogatorand Abrogated (Naskh and Mansookh)
‍-         History ofPreservation of the Qur'an
‍-         Doubtsabout Preservation of the Qur'an and Their Answers
‍-         Truthfulnessof the Qur'an
‍-         Subjectsof the Qur'an
Part 2: The Science of Tafsīr
‍-         TheScience of Exegesis (Tafsīr) and Its Sources
‍-         UnreliableSources of Exegesis
‍-         SomeImportant Principles of Exegesis
Some Exegetes of Early Era