Discourse on the Characteristic of Tafsir Ruhu’l-Ma’ani

Abstract

<p>A lot of works have been written on <em>Tafsīr</em> of the noble Qur’ān with their various characteristics that distinguish them from one another. Some focused on the use of traditions (<em>Riwāyah</em>) while some others focus on the use of acquired knowledge (<em>Dirāyah) </em>or opinion- based <em>Tafsīr (Ra’y)</em>. This study focused on one of the most popular works on <em>Tafsīr bir-Ra’y</em> entitled <em>Rūḥu’l-Ma<em>’</em>āni fi Tafsīri’l-Qur’āni’l-<em>’</em>Azīm was-Sab<em>’</em>i’l-Mathānī</em> (The Insightful Meaning of the Exegesis of the glorious Qur’ān and the Seven Reoccurrence). The paper aimed at bringing out the hidden treasure of this encyclopedic work of <em>Tafsīr </em>to the English audience including its features and the sources of its information. The method adopted in this research is basically analytical and exegetical method. Findings revealed that <em>Rūḥu’l-Ma<em>’</em>āni</em> has some characteristics that stand it out among other works of <em>Tafsīr</em> such as logical connection between verses and chapters, grammatical analysis of verses and verification of <em>hadīth </em>among others. It was also revealed that the author relied on many books and scholars of different fields in his <em>Tafsīr</em> which makes the book a compendium of <em>Tafsīr,</em> and an inevitable reference material for contemporary Qur’ānic commentators. The paper concluded by recommending that the contemporary scholars and students of <em>Tafsīr</em> should create awareness on the significance of the tafsir book by using it in tafsir session and carrying out further research on it as well as making it an additional source of information while explaining the glorious Qur’ān.</p>