Tafsir

Tafsir ( ; ) refers to an exegesis, or commentary, of the Quran. An author of a ''tafsir'' is a '''' (; plural: ). A Quranic ''tafsir'' attempts to provide elucidation, explanation, interpretation, context or commentary for clear understanding and conviction of God's will in Islam.

Principally, a ''tafsir'' deals with the issues of linguistics, jurisprudence, and theology. In terms of perspective and approach, ''tafsir'' can be broadly divided into two main categories, namely ''tafsir bi-al-ma'thur'' (lit. received tafsir), which is transmitted from the early days of Islam through the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his companions, and ''tafsir bi-al-ra'y'' (lit. ''tafsir'' by opinion), which is arrived through personal reflection or independent rational thinking.

There are different characteristics and traditions for each of the ''tafsirs'' representing respective schools and doctrines, such as Sunni Islam, Shia Islam, and Sufism. There are also general distinctions between classic ''tafsirs'' compiled by authoritative figures of Muslim scholarship during the formative ages of Islam, and modern ''tafsir'' which seeks to address a wider audience, including the common people. Provided by Wikipedia