Qur'anic Exegesis Comparison
A scholarly platform comparing interpretations of Qur’anic verses from renowned Islamic exegetes across different schools of thought, time periods, and methodological approaches.
The Qur'an as Clarification
وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ تِبْيَانًا لِّكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ
“And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims.”
— Qur’an 16:89
This verse beautifully captures the essence of our comparative study—exploring how different exegetes have understood the Qur’an as a source of clarification, guidance, and mercy for humanity.
Featured Study
Verse 5:67 – A pivotal verse with diverse scholarly interpretations
Surah Al-Ma’idah (المائدة) – Verse 67
يَا أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ۖ وَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ النَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ
Transliteration: Ya ayyuha ar-rasulu balligh ma unzila ilayka min rabbika wa in lam taf'al fama ballaghta risalatahu wa Allahu ya'simuka min an-nasi inna Allaha la yahdi al-qawm al-kafirin.
Translation: O Apostle! Communicate that which has been sent down to you from your Lord, and if you do not, you will not have communicated His message. Allah shall protect you from the people. Indeed, Allah does not guide the faithless lot.
Key Themes:
Featured Exegetes
Renowned exegetes whose interpretations are compared in this study
Ibn Kathir
ابن كثير
1300-1373 CE
Syria
Shafi'i (Athari)Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim
Allamah Tabataba’i
العلامة الطباطبائي
1904-1981 CE
Iran/Iraq
Shia (Twelver)Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran
Al-Tabarsi
الطبرسي
1073-1154 CE
Iran
Shia (Twelver)Majma' al-Bayan
Al-Razi
الرازي
1149-1210 CE
Iran
Shafi'i (Ash'ari)Mafatih al-Ghayb
Al-Qurtubi
القرطبي
1214-1273 CE
Al-Andalus/Egypt
Maliki (Ash'ari)Al-Jami' li-Ahkam al-Quran
Abul A’la Mawdudi
أبو الأعلى المودودي
1903-1979 CE
India/Pakistan
Sunni (Revivalist)Tafhim al-Quran
About This Study
This comparative study examines verse 5:67 of the Qur’an through the interpretations of six major Islamic exegetes spanning different centuries, regions, and methodological approaches. From the hadith-based methodology of Ibn Kathir to the philosophical approach of Allamah Tabataba’i, each scholar brings unique insights to understanding this pivotal verse about prophetic responsibility and divine protection.