Understanding tafseer: how to read the Quran’s explanation
By Team Sukon
Allah describes the Quran as “a blessed Book which We have sent down to you, that they may ponder its verses and that people of understanding may take heed” (Quran 38:29). Tafseer is the science of explaining the Quran so that we can ponder it correctly.
What tafseer means
The word comes from the Arabic fassara, to make clear. A tafseer explains the meaning of words, the context in which verses were revealed, how other verses and hadith explain them, and the rulings and lessons they contain.
The sources scholars use
- The Quran explaining itself. One verse often explains another.
- The Sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ was sent to explain the revelation (Quran 16:44).
- The Companions. They witnessed the revelation and knew its context.
- The Arabic language. Grammar and usage at the time of revelation.
Well-known tafseer works
Classical works include the tafseers of at-Tabari, Ibn Kathir, al-Qurtubi and al-Baghawi, and the concise Tafsir al-Muyassar. In the Indian subcontinent, Ma’arif al-Qur’an by Mufti Muhammad Shafi and Bayan ul Quran are widely read; Bengali readers often use Tafseer Ibn Kathir and Tafsir Ahsanul Bayaan.
Translation is not tafseer
A translation gives the meaning in another language; a tafseer explains it. When a verse puzzles you, the tafseer is where to look — not guesswork or social media.
Word by word: learning the Quran’s language
Seeing the meaning of each Arabic word helps you recognise words that repeat across the Quran. Around a few hundred words make up a large share of the Quran’s text, so a little study goes a long way.
How to use it on Sukon
Open any surah on the Sukon Quran page. Under every ayah, tap Word by word to see each word with its transliteration and meaning, or Tafseer to read one of nine tafseers in English, Urdu, Bengali or Arabic. Your choice is remembered.
A simple method for daily reflection
- Read a few ayahs in Arabic and translation.
- Open the tafseer of one ayah.
- Write down one lesson and one action.
- Return to it in your next prayer.
“Do they not ponder the Quran, or are there locks upon their hearts?” (Quran 47:24).