Abstract

Taqī al-Dīn Aḥmad Ibn-e-Taymiyyah was a great revivalist, jurist and interpreter of Noble Qur’ān of 7th century. This academic work was designed to explore the methodology of Ibn-e-Taymiyyah in Muqaddimah fī Uṣūl alTafsīr. Qualitative research methodology was used for the analysis of data. The review of literature revealed that it was his unparalleled academic work on tafsīr which had addressed even minor doubts raised about authentic Hadīth and presented their solution. In addition to that, he had addressed the complications faced in each phase of tafsīr. He had collected the academic pearls in very few pages and made it clear that how the Noble Qur’ān should be understood and interpreted? Many of the exegesis of Qur’ān did not reflect real message of Qur’ān. In this connection, Ibn-e-Taymiyyah disclosed that merely knowing Arabic language was not enough for the tafsīr of Holy Qur’ān. The Qur’ānic interpretation could not be correct until it was compiled in the light of Qur’ān and Hadīth because he was the real interpreter of Holy Qur’ān. After prophetic age, his companions (Ṣaḥāba), and their followers (Tābiʻīn) interpreted the real meanings of Qur’ān. In this context the real message of Qur’ān could only be understood by consulting the interpretation of Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), his companions and their followers. He also highlighted the fundamental principles needed for the exegesis of Holy Qur’ān. It was therefore recommended that his work should be included into the curriculum of Islamic studies to make our students aware in order to differentiate between right and wrong interpretations of Holy Qur’ān. Finally it is the dire need of time to revive the tafsīr literature in the light of these principles so that the modern exegesis could by analyzed and corrected to reflect the real message of Qur’ān.