Introduction to the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir. Part 1.1: Methodology of interpretation
https://doi.org/10.31162/2618-9569-2025-18-4-889-906
Abstract
This article opens a series of publications of the Russian translation of the introduction (muqaddimah) to the commentary of the Qur’an “Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Azim” (Commentary to the Great Qur’an) by one of the most famous and popular exegete of the traditionalist trend of Islamic thought (ahl al-ḥadīth) – Isma’il ibn ‘Umar ibn Kathir (d. 1373). This first part of the first section of the introduction deals with the importance and necessity of the interpretation of the Qur’an, as well as it’s methodology. The latter is built upon the references to parallel passages of the Holy Scripture, the prophetic tradition (Sunnah), and the sayings of the companions and followers. Linguistic analysis is allowed in the absence of relevant texts or the disagreement among the followers. The use of Jewish traditions (isrā’īlīyyāt) in Qur’anic interpretation, which are divided into three groups, is considered separately. The translation is preceded by a short preface containing a basic biographical information about the theologian and an analysis of the views presented in this fragment.
About the Authors
D. V. Frolov
Moscow State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Dmitry V. Frolov, Corresponding Member of Russian Academy of Sciences, Dr. Sci. (Philology), Full Professor, Head of the Department of Arabic Philology of the Institute of Asian and African Studies
Moscow
I. A. Zaripov
Institute of Oriental Studies of Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Islam A. Zaripov, Cand. Sci. (History), Senior Researcher Fellow, Center for Arabic and Islamic Studies
Moscow
References
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Review
For citations:
Frolov D.V., Zaripov I.A. Introduction to the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir. Part 1.1: Methodology of interpretation. Minbar. Islamic Studies. 2025;18(4):889-906. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31162/2618-9569-2025-18-4-889-906
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