At-Tabari's Approach to Tafsir between Narration and Discretion

Methods of Qur'anic Exegetes (Manahijul-Mufasirun) has been an area of Qur'anic Studies that attracted writers of different backgrounds. However, the method of Imam at-Tabari who is celebrated as the 'Father of Tafsir' has been mistaken by a number of contemporary writers. This book reveals At-Tabari's approach to Tafsir from a direct reading of his masterpiece and encyclopedic Jami'ul Bayan 'an Ta'wili Ayil Qur'an. It discovers that narration has been perfectly intertwined with discretion in the approach and therefore concludes that restricting it to either of the two is a misnomer with great consequences in the study of Qur'an interpretation. It was this approach which At-Tabari trail-blazed that earned him his reputation in Tafsir. The analysis in the book shall help researchers in Qur'anic Studies and Islamic Studies generally in appreciating the right methodology of Qur'an exegesis and aid in writing any modern Tafsir that could be generally approved. It is also useful to any other curious reader and the general public, as an introduction to Tafsir of At-Tabari. The language of the book is simple and its content intelligible to all readers in English Language.