(properly titled ) is widely considered the most important monument of classical Arabic and Islamic scholarship.
This volume typically covers the continuation of Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow), the longest chapter of the Quran. 🔑 Key Features of Volume 2 The Commentary On The Quran Vol. 2 By Al-tabari
The methodology displayed in Volume 2 is characterized by the "chain of transmission" ( isnad ). In this volume, the reader is presented with a dizzying array of narrations from the Companions (Sahaba) and the Successors (Tabi'un). For a single verse, Al-Tabari may provide five, ten, or even twenty distinct interpretations, each supported by its own chain of authorities. This approach serves a dual purpose. First, it provides a linguistic and contextual grounding for the verses, particularly regarding the "linguistic twists" of Arabic dialects known to the early Arabs. Second, by rigorously listing these chains, Al-Tabari legitimizes the text. In Volume 2, this is particularly vital for verses dealing with legal injunctions—such as the laws of inheritance, fasting, and retaliation (Qisas)—where the precise wording carries heavy jurisprudential weight. (properly titled ) is widely considered the most