Tafsir books: the major works of Quran explanation
Tafsir books explain the Quran verse by verse: the context of revelation, the meaning of words, related hadith and the views of scholars. Hundreds have been written over fourteen centuries. Here are the major works, what makes each one different, which are available in English, and where to start.
Last updated: 3 October 2026
How scholars explain the Quran
Classical tafsir follows an order of sources: the Quran explained by the Quran, then by the Sunnah, then by the Companions, then by their students, then by the Arabic language. Works that rely mainly on these reports are called tafsir bi’l-ma’thur (by transmission); works that add more reasoning and analysis are tafsir bi’r-ra’y (by sound opinion). Most tafsirs combine both.
Major classical tafsir books
| Work | Author | Approach | In English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jami‘ al-Bayan (Tafsir at-Tabari) | Ibn Jarir at-Tabari, d. 310 AH / 923 CE | The great early tafsir: gathers the reports of the Companions and their students verse by verse, then weighs them. | Partial English translations |
| Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Azim (Tafsir Ibn Kathir) | Ibn Kathir, d. 774 AH / 1373 CE | Explains the Quran by the Quran, then hadith, then the Companions. Readable and the most widely used in English. | Abridged English edition in 10 volumes |
| Al-Jami‘ li-Ahkam al-Qur’an (Tafsir al-Qurtubi) | Al-Qurtubi, d. 671 AH / 1273 CE | Focuses on the legal rulings in the verses, with language and reports. | Partial English translations |
| Tafsir al-Jalalayn | Jalal ad-Din al-Mahalli and Jalal ad-Din as-Suyuti, 15th century CE | A very concise tafsir, often printed in the margin of the mushaf; a classic first text. | Full English translation |
| Taysir al-Karim ar-Rahman (Tafsir as-Sa‘di) | ‘Abd ar-Rahman as-Sa‘di, d. 1376 AH / 1956 CE | Clear, practical and focused on lessons and guidance. Popular for personal study. | Full English translation |
Tafsir from the Indian subcontinent
Many UK families with roots in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh know these works in Urdu:
| Work | Author | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ma‘arif al-Qur’an | Mufti Muhammad Shafi‘, Urdu, 20th century | Detailed and practical, with legal discussion in the Hanafi tradition. Translated into English in 8 volumes. |
| Tafhim al-Qur’an | Abul A‘la Mawdudi, Urdu, 20th century | Introductions to each surah and readable commentary; widely read in English as “Towards Understanding the Qur’an”. |
| Tafsir Uthmani | Shabbir Ahmad Uthmani, Urdu, 20th century | Concise notes alongside a translation; also available in English. |
Where to start
- First reading: a concise tafsir (as-Sa‘di or al-Jalalayn) beside a good English translation.
- Going deeper: the abridged Tafsir Ibn Kathir, a surah at a time.
- Specialist questions: at-Tabari for early reports, al-Qurtubi for rulings, ideally with a teacher.
Begin with the surahs you know best, such as Al-Fatihah or Juz Amma. For the full path from translation to understanding, read how to understand the Quran.
Reading tafsir with a teacher
Tafsir books assume knowledge: terms, hadith grading, differences of opinion. A teacher helps you through them and answers the questions they raise. In our online tafseer classes, you study the meaning of surahs word by word, in English or Urdu, one-to-one.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best tafsir book for beginners?
Many teachers suggest starting with a concise work: Tafsir as-Sa‘di or Tafsir al-Jalalayn in English, or the abridged Tafsir Ibn Kathir if you want more detail. Read it a few verses at a time alongside the Arabic and a translation.
What is the difference between tafsir and translation?
A translation renders the meaning in another language. A tafsir explains it: the context of revelation, the meaning of words, related verses and hadith, and how scholars understood the verse.
Is it tafsir or tafseer?
Both are spellings of the same Arabic word, تفسير. “Tafsir” is the common academic spelling; “tafseer” is very common in the UK and South Asia.
Study tafsir one-to-one
Three free tafseer lessons in English or Urdu, in UK time.