These selections provide a profound glimpse into al-Ṭabarī's method as he explains everything from the majestic descriptions of God's mercy and power in Sūrat al-Raḥmān to the stark eschatological warnings of Sūrat al-Wāqiʿah. Mohammed Rustom, Assistant Editor of The Study Quran , praised Lucas's translation, saying it "strikes a perfect balance between eloquence and accuracy" and will be "warmly received by anyone wishing to gain greater access to the inexhaustible treasuries of the Quran".
For centuries, the profound insights of Tafsir al‑Ṭabarī remained largely inaccessible to non‑Arabic speakers. The publication of “The Commentary on the Qur’an, Vol. 2” by Scott C. Lucas, as part of a two‑volume set, represents a landmark effort to bridge this gap. This translation, published by the Islamic Texts Society, is an , focusing on thirty verses and chapters that are traditionally associated with special merits and blessings. It is not a full translation of the original 30‑volume Arabic work, but a carefully curated selection that makes the core of al‑Ṭabarī’s thought accessible to a wider audience.
A popular two-volume translation published by the Islamic Texts Society focuses on thirty selected chapters and verses. Volume 2 of this set includes:
Today, we are going to roll up our sleeves and look specifically at of this monumental work. While Volume 1 typically covers Al-Fatiha and the beginning of Al-Baqarah , Volume 2 is where the engine of Tabari’s methodology truly kicks into high gear. The Commentary On The Quran Vol. 2 By Al-tabari
The Jami‘ al-bayan ‘an ta’wil ay al-Qur’an , popularly known as Tafsir al-Tabari , is the most influential foundation of Sunni Quranic exegesis. Volume 2 specifically transitions from the opening theological themes into the dense legislative and narrative sections of (The Cow) . 💡 The Core Approach
Al-Tabari’s Jami‘ al-bayan ‘an ta’wil ay al-Qur’an (commonly known as Tafsir al-Tabari ) is widely regarded as the foundational work of classical Quranic interpretation . Volume 2 of this multi-volume set (depending on the edition/translation) typically covers a crucial stretch of the Quran’s middle Medinan chapters—often including parts of Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow), Aal-Imran (Family of Imran), and Al-Nisa’ (The Women). These chapters contain the bulk of Islamic legal, social, and theological principles.
In Volume 2, this methodology manifests as a massive compendium of conflicting and supporting narrations. Al-Tabari acts as a grand jurist and judge. After presenting a spectrum of narrations on a single phrase or word, he systematically analyzes the Arabic grammar, historical context, and linguistic norms of the Quraysh tribe to declare which interpretation is the most robust. Key Themes Addressed in Volume 2 The publication of “The Commentary on the Qur’an, Vol
A significant portion of Volume 2 isolates the dialogue between God and the angels regarding the creation of Adam as a vicegerent ( khalifah ) on Earth. Al-Tabari synthesizes various early narrations to explain:
Virtually every major commentator who followed—including Al-Qurtubi, Ibn Kathir, and Al-Suyuti—relied on al-Tabari's framework as their primary source material. Conclusion
: Al-Tabari also explores the different readings of the Quran, highlighting the variations that have been reported through different chains of transmission. This aspect of his commentary underscores the richness and flexibility within Quranic recitation. This translation, published by the Islamic Texts Society,
Professor Scott Lucas’s translation strikes a “perfect balance between eloquence and accuracy,” as praised by Mohammed Rustom, Assistant Editor of The Study Quran . The two volumes together run to 1,196 pages, a testament to the depth of the material, yet the selection process makes this immense knowledge navigable. This edition is not merely a translation but a bridge to a lost world of scholarship, allowing the modern seeker to sit, metaphorically, at the feet of a master of classical Islam.
Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari (839–923 CE).
Are you comparing al-Tabari's work to like Ibn Kathir? Share public link
Volume 2 of Al-Tabari’s commentary is not a book; it is a tool. When you read it, you are sitting in the study of the greatest mind of the 10th century. You watch him argue with his teachers, weigh the grammar of Basra against the grammar of Kufa, and ultimately bow to the text of the Quran.
The Jamiʿ al-bayan ʿan taʾwil ay al-Qurʾan (The Comprehensive Exposition of the Interpretation of the Verses of the Quran), authored by the monumental scholar Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari (d. 310 AH / 923 CE), stands as the foundational masterpiece of classical Islamic exegesis ( tafsir ). While Volume 1 of this monumental work sets the methodological framework and navigates the opening chapters, transitions readers directly into the heart of early Islamic legal, theological, and historical development.