Living with the Qur’an through recitation, contemplation, reflection, deduction, and adherence to the commands of Allah has always been the path of the devoted scholars and sincere seekers of knowledge.
By Allah’s will, I had the opportunity to explore the book “The Intermediate Tafsir of Surah An-Nisa: Reviving Human Life, Its Divine Legal Organization, and Protecting the Vulnerable, Especially Women and Children, from Oppression” by Sheikh Dr. Abdul Salam Muqbal Al-Mujidi Al-Yamani. (1) This book is part of the encyclopedia Basair Al-Ma’rifah Al-Qur’aniyyah and spans 256 pages. I found it to be distinct and innovative in its approach, with an eloquent style and profound interpretation of the ayahs of the Qur’an. The words seemed to accompany me during the reading, illuminating meanings and bringing me closer to a deep understanding of this exalted science.
Basair Al-Ma’rifah Al-Qur’aniyyah
During my reading, I noticed that the Sheikh addressed a universal audience, reflecting the global message of the Qur’an, in a simple yet expressive language infused with high literary quality. This approach achieved its purpose, as Sheikh Al-Mujidi sought to reach the mind, stir emotions, touch the heart, and awaken the innate nature of humanity.
An expert in Qur’anic tafsir would notice how much he benefited from earlier scholars in the field, such as Al-Tabari, Ibn Kathir, Al-Qurtubi, Al-Zamakhshari, and others among the classical scholars, and from contemporary scholars like Sheikh Mutawalli Al-Sha'rawi and Sayyid Qutb. He merged their knowledge with his own insights, presenting them in artistic and literary compositions that will delight seekers of Qur’anic understanding.
To the best of my modest knowledge, the Sheikh uniquely titled his works. For instance, for Surah An-Nisa, he titled it “Reviving Human Life, Its Divine Legal Organization, and Protecting the Vulnerable, Especially Women and Children, from Oppression”. This comprehensive title adequately reflects the content of the surah and the findings of his research and study.
The Sheikh discussed the historical context of Surah An-Nisa, not as a mere narrator but as a critical scholar to those before him. He interpreted some ayahs based on the reasons for their revelation, supported by evidence from the Prophet’s Sunnah, employing the methodology of specialized scholars in this field.
He focused on rulings related to orphans, women, and inheritance, providing a schematic representation of the insights offered by Surah An-Nisa to express its comprehensive image.
The Book’s Content
The book’s introduction outlined fundamental legal principles that ensure the “revival of human life,” divided into seven key themes:
- The Beginning of Human Life – Children and Women
- This section elaborated on the surah’s discourse on orphans, women’s rights, and the protection of the vulnerable in society, safeguarding them from injustice and oppression based on divine legislations found in the Qur’an.
- The Formation of the Central Family
- This section delved into the laws of marriage, emphasizing the establishment of family stability and humanity’s right to security and growth. He expanded on the relevant ayahs in his extensive three-volume tafsir and condensed them into “The Intermediate Tafsir.”
- Fortifying Family Stability to Ensure Human Flourishment
- Under this theme, he explained the ayahs in a unique and exceptional way, characterized by his analytical reasoning, emotional fervor, and profound discussions aimed at guiding humanity.
Reflections on the Encyclopedia and the Book
The Sheikh’s exceptional writings in “Basair Al-Ma’rifah Al-Qur’aniyyah” indicate that this eminent scholar devoted decades of his life to this grand project. Its outcomes, by Allah’s grace and favor, are now manifest: “That is the bounty of Allah; He gives to whom He wills, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty.” (Al-Jumu’ah: 4)
The tafsir Basair Al-Ma’rifah Al-Qur’aniyyah, as I studied and benefited from it, is not a mere replication of Al-Tabari, Al-Razi, Al-Qurtubi, Ibn Kathir, Al-Sha’rawi, Al-Sa’di, Qutb, Al-Nabulsi, Al-Zuhaili, Al-Shanqiti, Al-Nasafi, Al-Naysaburi, or others.
It is uniquely Al-Mujidi’s work, characterized by his distinct approach, taste, and methodology. His innovative, blessed methodology reflects the spirit of our times in terms of structure, illustrations, idea distribution, lessons, and the use of expressions to convey the essence of the Qur’an’s meanings. He addresses individuals, families, societies, human rights organizations, women, judicial institutions, and humanity at large through the Qur’an’s divine discourse. He also derived numerous legal principles from the ayahs, such as:
- The Islamic Law of Inheritance, which revolves around six objectives: human propagation, justice, mutual support, rights, duties, and aiding heirs according to current and future responsibilities. This law exemplifies true mercy to humanity, helping them achieve stability, expansion, growth, and constructive development. In his commentary on Allah’s command: “Allah instructs you concerning your children.” (An-Nisa: 11)
He emphasized the importance of current generations caring for future ones. The term “instruction” signifies a divine mandate, reflecting the profound care and attention required for those entrusted to us. The addressed parties include parents, relatives, and governmental and non-governmental organizations.
The idea of extracting principles rooted in justice, wisdom, and benefit from Qur’anic ayahs is a brilliant one, rarely found in the tafsir works I’ve encountered, according to my humble knowledge.
How I View the Basair Al-Ma’rifah Al-Qur’aniyyah Project
Discussing Dr. Abdul Salam Al-Mujidi Al-Yamani’s project Basair Al-Ma’rifah Al-Qur’aniyyah is extensive. In my view, this project represents one of the pillars of Islamic civilizational renaissance. It contains elements and insights capable of significantly contributing to combating the invasive ideologies targeting the Islamic Ummah’s doctrinal, ethical, and spiritual foundations, which stem from the Qur’an and the exalted status of our Prophet ﷺ and his noble companions.
In his tafsir, the author concluded Surah An-Nisa with a universal declaration of divine law, inviting all nations to adhere to it as a comprehensive methodology that combines reason and divine guidance, providing solutions to humanity’s problems. This invitation underscores the Qur’anic values as a foundational source for safeguarding humanity from going astray.
Dr. Abdul Salam Al-Mujidi Al-Yamani’s tafsir stands out for its deep analysis, clear focus on humanitarian and legislative aspects of the Surah, and its endeavor to highlight how the surah establishes principles of social justice, protects vulnerable groups like orphans and women and entails the intricate social and economic relationships, aiming at enhancing familial and societal cohesion.
In conclusion, I can only praise the blessed effort exerted in the interpretation of Surah “An-Nisa,” “Al-Baqarah,” “Al-A'raf,” and other books. The author presented profound insights that guide the reader towards a comprehensive understanding of Quranic concepts and human rights. Dr. Al-Mujidi here demonstrates a precise understanding of the meanings and divine purposes conveyed in these blessed surahs, as well as his diligence in explaining the divine wisdom behind Islamic legislation concerning the rights of the vulnerable, including women, children, and others.
This tafsir is not just an explanation of the ayahs; it is a presentation of the human and social dimensions built upon these ayahs, making it a distinctive reference for anyone seeking a deep understanding of the Quran. It reflects the message of Islam in justice and mercy and shows how tafsir can be a practical guide illuminating the paths of those who follow it. We ask Allah, the Exalted, by His beautiful names and attributes, and by His Greatest Name, to ease the difficulties and remove the obstacles in the path of our sheikh and teacher, Dr. Abdul Salam Al-Mujidi. May He grant him both material and spiritual strength, and provide him with those who will assist him in achieving this noble goal and lofty purpose, so that the light of this work may be fully realized, with acceptance extended across time and place until Allah inherits the earth and all that is on it. May He grant success to all those working to support the religion of Islam wherever they may be.
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(1) Currently serves as the professor of Islamic Sharia at Qatar University.
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