The Commentary On The Quran Vol. 2 By Al-tabari [verified] Jun 2026

This is where a crucial distinction must be made. While Volume 1 of Cooper's translation was successfully published, the subsequent volumes were never completed. The project remained unfinished, and Volume 1 stands as the only testament to this ambitious undertaking. As a result, there is no Volume 2 from this specific Oxford University Press series. The edition is long out of print, making the existing Volume 1 a sought-after collector's item for scholars and serious students of Islam.

It acts as a primary repository of early scholarly opinion, bringing the reader closer to the first generation of Muslims than almost any other source.

Al-Tabari is the father of Tafsir al-Ma’thur , or "interpretation based on tradition." In Volume 2, readers witness his rigorous process firsthand. He does not merely offer his personal opinion; instead, he compiles a vast "chain of transmission" ( isnad ) for every interpretation. He draws from: Direct prophetic explanations.

In an age of superficial online fatwas and decontextualized Quranic quotes, is an anchor to authenticity. It drags the reader back to the first three centuries of Islam, a period the Prophet himself called "the best of generations." The Commentary On The Quran Vol. 2 By Al-tabari

Some key features and takeaways from The Commentary on the Quran Vol. 2 by Al-Tabari include:

After presenting conflicting views, Al-Tabari steps in as a master judge. He uses phrases like "The most correct view in our opinion is..." and justifies his choice using strict rules of Arabic grammar, historical consistency, or prophetic precedent. Why Volume 2 is Critical for Modern Research The Preservation of Lost Texts

By balancing linguistic science with prophetic tradition, al-Tabari created a template that almost all subsequent commentators—including Ibn Kathir and al-Qurtubi—used as a reference point. This is where a crucial distinction must be made

Al-Tabari provides exhaustive historical context regarding the shift of the prayer direction from Jerusalem to Mecca, detailing the theological implications and the reactions of the contemporary Jewish and polytheistic communities in Medina.

, The Beneficent (Ar-Rahman) , and The Inevitable Occasion (Al-Waqiyah) .

: It also covers the final chapters of the Quran, including The Earthquake (Al-Zalzalah), Sincerity (Al-Ikhlas), and the "Muw'idhatayn" ( Daybreak and People ). As a result, there is no Volume 2

(commentary), this separate historical work focuses on "Prophets and Patriarchs," covering the lives of Abraham and Joseph. New York University Key Features & Methodology Tradition-Based Exegesis (Tafsir al-Ma’thur)

Al-Tabari was a master of classical Arabic. In Vol. 2, you will find extensive discussions on variant Quranic readings ( qira’at ), syntax, and the root meanings of key words. For example, his analysis of verse 2:256 (“No compulsion in religion”) dissects the word al-ghayy (error) vs. al-rushd (right guidance) with remarkable linguistic precision.

The Commentary on the Quran Vol. 2 is an indispensable resource for several reasons:

Every interpretation begins with a chain of narrators ( isnad ) tracing back to the Prophet Muhammad, his companions ( Sahabah ), or the subsequent generation of scholars ( Tabi'un ).

: From The Sun (Al-Shams) through to The People (An-Nas) .