Abstract
Tafsıˆr ibn Kathıˆr is a famous and well known exegesis of the Holy Qur'an .It has been accepted all over the Muslim world as a valuable source of explanation for the Holy Qur'an .It is written by Hafiz Abu al-Fida' Isma'il bin 'Umar bin Kathir al Qurashi Al-Busrawi known as ibn Kathıˆr . He explained the verses of the Holy Qur'an which were related to the practical life of the believers. In this explanation he discussed many issues of jurisprudence and adapted a particular methodology for that. In this article has been disssed the methodology of Hafiz ibn Kathıˆr with reference to the issues of jurisprudence. Since he belonged to Shafi'i school of thought he at many places in his Tafsıˆr supported the Shafi'i viewpoint but in an unbiased and impartial manner. At some places even find departure from the shafi view point in favour of some other viewpoints due to strong arguments. It indicates that he was Imam having an independent opinion and not a blind follower. His scholarly discussions at various places about the view point of other imams of schools of jurisprudence with reference to a particular issue add value to this masterpiece of Tafsıˆr. His support for any one of them was entirely based upon the arguments which he has mentioned at some places. While discussing the arguments, he has also mentioned the one which was abrogating and the one which was abrogated so that a particular view point is proved. At times we see that he has strongly supported the majority point of view. At times we see him giving references to the books written by the jurists. Thus we find that he has refered to ‘al umm’ and ‘alimla’ two books of Imam Shafi'i in this Tafsıˆr .The weak point of view of some Imam with reference to issues of jurisprudence has also been mentioned by him in this Tafsıˆr .Thus we find that he was skilful jurisprudent who has discussed the issues of jurisprudence in his Tafsıˆr in a very detailed manner.