Fakhr Al-Din Razi's Tafsir, The Great Exegesis-Vol 1:The Fatiha - Book Review Discussion with Dr Sohaib Saeed-Islamic Circles- Apr 10,2021
YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/Y2TrwuqPlKo?si=9Xk1IYjG2WKefsek
Fakhr al-Din Razi’s Tafsir, The Great Exegesis, also known as Mafatih al-Ghayb, is one of the great classics of Arabic and Islamic scholarship. Written in the twelfth century, this commentary on the Qur’an has remained until today an indispensable reference work. The Great Exegesis is a compendium not only of Qur’anic sciences and meanings, but also Arabic linguistics, comparative jurisprudence, Aristotelian and Islamic philosophy, dialectic theology and the spirituality of Sufism. The present volume is the first ever translation into English from The Great Exegesis and focuses on the first chapter of the Qur’an, the Fatiha. This scholarly yet accessible translation gives readers a thorough understanding of the most commonly recited chapter of the Qur’an; it also opens up for readers a window into the thought and practice of one of Islam’s greatest theologians. Fakhr al-Dīn al-Razi (d. 1210) was a leading Islamic scholar of the twelfth century. He was a prolific author on theology and jurisprudence but is best known for his commentary on the Qur’an, The Great Exegesis.Speaker:Dr Sohaib Saeed [Founder-Director of the Centre for Advanced Study of the Quran and its Interpretation (CASQI), Freiburg University, Germany
Dr Sohaib Saeed is director of the Centre for Advanced Study of the Quran and its Interpretation (CASQI). He is a graduate of philosophy (University of Edinburgh) and Islamic theology (Al-Azhar), with specialism in Qur’anic studies. He took his PhD at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.
Host:Salman Nasir- Umm al Qura University, Instructor for Legacy Institute
Host:Salman Nasir- Umm al Qura University, Instructor for Legacy Institute
Mecca Books: The Great Exegesis:Tafsir Al-Kabir-Vol1: The Fatiha- Dr.Sohaib Saeed
About The Book
Al-Tafsir al-Kabir: This is the work of Imam Fakhr al-din al-Razi (died 606 Hijrah). Its real name is Mafatih al-Ghayb, but is popularly known as Tafsir Kabir'. He is an imam of the theology of Islam, therefore, great emphasis has been laid in his Tafsir on rational and scholastic debates and on the refutation of false sects'.
Most likely, Imam Razi himself wrote down his Tafsir as far as Surah al-Fath. Onwards from there, he could not complete. So, the remaining part of the tafseer, from Surah al-Fatiha to the end, was completed by Qadi Shihab al-Din ibn Khalil al-Khawli al-Dimashqi (died 639 Hijrah) or Shaykh Najm al-Din Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Qamuli (died 777 Hijrah). (Kashaf al-Zunun v. 2, p. 477)
This work gives a thorough understanding of the most commonly recited chapter of the Qur’an - "Al-Fatiha".
The Great Exegesis, also known as Mafatih al-Ghayb is a famous classical book written by Fakhr Al-Din Razi in sixth century AH (twelfth century AD). It is a well-known tafsir of Qur'an which is widely used for reference till today by the scholars and students alike.
The present work is the first ever translation into English from Mafatih al-Ghayb and deals with "Surah Fatiha", the first chapter of the Holy Qur'an. It is a compendium of Qur’anic sciences and meanings, Arabic linguistics, comparative jurisprudence, Aristotelian and Islamic philosophy, dialectic theology and the spirituality of Sufism.
About Fakhr Al-Din Al-Razi
Muhammad ibn 'Umar ibn al-Hasan ibn al-Husayn Abu 'Abd Allah al-Qurashi, al-Bakri, al-Taymi, al-Tabaristani al-Shafi'i, known as Ibn al-Khatib and as Fakhr al-Din al-Razi (543-606), Shaykh al-Islam, the imam of the learned scholars of kalam and the foundations of belief, a major jurist of the Shafi'i school, specialist of usul, Commentator of the Qur'an, Philologist, genealogist, heresiographer, logician, Mathematician, Astronomer and physician.
'An ocean that contains more pearls than the ocean.' The principal spokesman of Ahl al-Sunnah in his time, he refuted all the sects with which he came into contact, particularly the multifarious groups of the Mu'tazila, Shi'a, and Hashwiyya as well as the Jews and Christians. A student of his father Khatib al-Rayy Diya' al-Din 'Umar and Majd al-Din al-Jili al-Maraghi principally, then Abu Muhammad al-Baghawi and Kamal al-Din al-Simnani, he memorized early on Imam al-Haramayn's work in kalam entitled al-Shamil.
He began his scholarly career in poverty and died at sixty-three at the height of fame and wealth, poisoned, it is said, by the Karramiyya of Herat who were envious of his great following among the princes of Khurasan.
He travelled widely before settling in Herat (in modern Afghanistan). The author of more than 100 books (on subjects as diverse as medicine, mineralogy, and grammar), he gained fame and wealth through his scholarship and skill in debate, in which he often presented unorthodox views fully and favourably before refuting them.
Though this led to accusations of heresy, it has preserved information about little-known sects. His works include one of the major commentaries on the Qur'an, The Keys to the Unknown (or The Great Commentary), and Collection of the Opinions of Ancients and Moderns.
About The Translator:
Sohaib Saeed is director of the Centre for Advanced Study of the Quran and its Interpretation (CASQI). He is a graduate of philosophy (University of Edinburgh) and Islamic theology (Al-Azhar), with specialism in Qur’anic studies. He took his PhD at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.
YouTube Videos Playlist:
Instructor Ustaad Sulayman Van Ael delivers the class in his unique style , summarising this huge work in a relatable manner, one which can be implemented in our daily lives
Amazon: The Prophetic Jewels of al-Shaykh Fakhr al-Din al-Razi:A Quranic Exegesis on the Prophet's Virtues- Muhammad Zulhikam Jameel (Translator)
amazon.com
This book is a translation of an extract from Jawahir al-Bihar fi Fada'il al-Nabi al-Mukhtar ﷺ by al-Shaykh Yusuf ibn Isma'il al-Nabhani who had compiled in it the Quranic exegesis of 16 sets of Quranic verses on the virtues of the Chosen Prophet ﷺ cited from al-Tafsir al-Kabir by al-Shaykh Fakhr al-Din al-Razi – with foreword by Dr. Iskandar Abdullah, Director of Arabic Language & Cultural Consultancy Service LLP.
Al-Tafsir al-Kabir is an extensive 32-volumebook of Quranic exegesis. Being both a philosopher and a theologian, much of al-Fakhr al-Razi’s perspectives with regard to the virtues of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ revolve around his Prophethood, including the evidences of his Prophethood, his noble characteristics as a Messenger, the benefits of sending him to mankind as a Messenger, the superiority and eminence of his religion, and the obligation to have faith in him, glorify him, support him and follow him ﷺ.
On top of that, this book highlights the evidences that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is better than all the other Prophets, his great moral characters of gentleness, compassion and mercy, and the abundant gifts and abundant goodness granted by Allah ﷻ to him ﷺ.
The ease of access to information in this digital age has helped ordinary Muslims be motivated to read translations of the Quran since the glorious Quran is the most primary source of Islamic knowledge alongside the Prophetic Hadiths. Nevertheless, one of the best ways for a Muslim to understand the Quran is in fact by studying the books of Quranic exegesis by the great scholars of the Muslim Ummah.
Therefore, this book serves to aid readers in understanding the Quran with regard to the virtues of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by studying the exegesis of just some of its noble verses through the lens of al-Shaykh Fakhr al-Din al-Razi.
The author, al-Shaykh Fakhr al-Din al-Razi (544H-606H), was an established scholar in various fields of knowledge; Islamic jurisprudence, principles of Islamic jurisprudence, Islamic theology, philosophy, medicine and Quranic exegesis. He was said to have surpassed the scholars in his era particularly in the fields of Islamic theology and philosophy, though his extensive 32-volume book of Quranic exegesis has been regarded as his most renowned writing.
The compiler, al-Shaykh Yusuf ibn Isma'il al-Nabhani (1849-1932), was from the Levant, graduated from Al-Azhar, Egypt and was a very learned scholar in many disciplines such as Islamic Jurisprudence and Sufism. He was also a glorious poet who mastered in Arabic knowledge and literary arts. For most of his adult life, al-Shaykh al-Nabhani worked within the judicial positions in various courts in several places until he was promoted to Chief Justice of the Court of Human Rights in Beirut, and held this position for a period of over 20 years. Al-Shaykh al-Nabhani was devoted to knowledge, literature, composing poems and writing books, especially in defence of his beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Al-Tafsir al-Kabir is an extensive 32-volumebook of Quranic exegesis. Being both a philosopher and a theologian, much of al-Fakhr al-Razi’s perspectives with regard to the virtues of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ revolve around his Prophethood, including the evidences of his Prophethood, his noble characteristics as a Messenger, the benefits of sending him to mankind as a Messenger, the superiority and eminence of his religion, and the obligation to have faith in him, glorify him, support him and follow him ﷺ.
On top of that, this book highlights the evidences that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is better than all the other Prophets, his great moral characters of gentleness, compassion and mercy, and the abundant gifts and abundant goodness granted by Allah ﷻ to him ﷺ.
The ease of access to information in this digital age has helped ordinary Muslims be motivated to read translations of the Quran since the glorious Quran is the most primary source of Islamic knowledge alongside the Prophetic Hadiths. Nevertheless, one of the best ways for a Muslim to understand the Quran is in fact by studying the books of Quranic exegesis by the great scholars of the Muslim Ummah.
Therefore, this book serves to aid readers in understanding the Quran with regard to the virtues of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by studying the exegesis of just some of its noble verses through the lens of al-Shaykh Fakhr al-Din al-Razi.
The author, al-Shaykh Fakhr al-Din al-Razi (544H-606H), was an established scholar in various fields of knowledge; Islamic jurisprudence, principles of Islamic jurisprudence, Islamic theology, philosophy, medicine and Quranic exegesis. He was said to have surpassed the scholars in his era particularly in the fields of Islamic theology and philosophy, though his extensive 32-volume book of Quranic exegesis has been regarded as his most renowned writing.
The compiler, al-Shaykh Yusuf ibn Isma'il al-Nabhani (1849-1932), was from the Levant, graduated from Al-Azhar, Egypt and was a very learned scholar in many disciplines such as Islamic Jurisprudence and Sufism. He was also a glorious poet who mastered in Arabic knowledge and literary arts. For most of his adult life, al-Shaykh al-Nabhani worked within the judicial positions in various courts in several places until he was promoted to Chief Justice of the Court of Human Rights in Beirut, and held this position for a period of over 20 years. Al-Shaykh al-Nabhani was devoted to knowledge, literature, composing poems and writing books, especially in defence of his beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
posted by NFIE @ 3:57 PM
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