Editing Tafsir (section)

{{Short description|Exegesis of the Quran}}
{{for|preaching event|Tafsir-ul-Quran Mahfil}}
{{Other uses}}
{{italic title}}
{{Quran}} 
{{Islam}}

'''Tafsir''' ({{langx|ar|تفسير|tafsīr}} {{IPAc-ar|t|a|f|'|s|I|r}}; {{langx|en|'''explanation'''}}) refers to an [[exegesis]], or commentary, of the [[Quran]]. An author of a ''tafsir'' is a '''''{{Transliteration|ar|ALA|mufassir}}''''' ({{langx|ar|مُفسّر}}; plural: {{langx|ar|مفسّرون|mufassirūn}}). A Quranic ''tafsir'' attempts to provide elucidation, explanation, interpretation, context or commentary for clear understanding and conviction of [[God in Islam|God]]'s will in [[Islam]].<ref name="Jo" />

Principally, a ''tafsir'' deals with the issues of [[Classical Arabic|linguistics]], [[Islamic jurisprudence|jurisprudence]], and [[Islamic theology|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 [[Sahaba|companion]]s, and ''tafsir bi-al-ra'y'' (lit. ''tafsir'' by opinion), which is arrived through personal reflection or [[ijtihad|independent rational thinking]].<ref name="Jo" />

There are different characteristics and traditions for each of the ''tafsirs'' representing respective [[Islamic schools and branches|schools and doctrine]]s, such as [[Sunni Islam]], [[Shia Islam]], and [[Sufism]]. There are also general distinctions between classic ''tafsirs'' compiled by authoritative figures of [[Ulama|Muslim scholar]]ship during the [[Golden Age of Islam|formative ages of Islam]], and modern ''tafsir'' which seeks to address a wider audience, including the common people.<ref name="Jo">Mir, Mustansir. (1995). "Tafsīr". In John L. Esposito. ''The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World''. Oxford: Oxford University Press.</ref>