An Evaluation of Tabari’s Tafsir from the Aspect

Abstract

Written in the early period of Islam by Tabari>>, “al-Ja>mi’ al-Baya>n  an Ta'wil Ây al-Qur’ân";;; which is one of the main references for those who are working in the field of Qur’anic studies is generally regarded as the first work of tafsir riwayah (traditional), a methodological type of Qur’anic commentary. The study, in order to examine the methods with which Tabari>>’s tafsir was written, It will first define all the characteristics of riwayah and dirayah tafsir. Then, It will examine Tabari>’s al-Ja>mi’to see that the author followed a wide spectrum when determining the main subjects of the tafsir, while emphasizing that the main reason for the revelation must be understood. This study mainly argues that the al-Ja>mi’ has the characteristics of dirâyah more than riwayah.