A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF CONTEMPORARY TRENDS IN QURʾĀNIC EXEGESIS

Abstract

The comprehensive study of the major types of tafsīr (Qur’ānic exegesis) developed throughout the classical and post-classical periods of Islamic scholarship. It outlines the foundational categories tafsīr bil-mathūr, tafsīr bil-ray, linguistic, rhetorical tafsīr, juristic tafsīr, theological tafsīr, mystical (ṣūfī) tafsīr, and contemporary thematic approaches highlighting their unique methodologies, sources, and interpretive objectives. The research examines how each type reflects a particular intellectual milieu and responds to the evolving needs of Muslim communities, from the earliest narrations rooted in Prophetic and Companions reports to modern analytical readings shaped by social and civilizational concerns. By comparing exegetical principles, patterns of reasoning, and the scope of interpretive authority, the study demonstrates the richness and diversity of the tafsīr tradition. Ultimately, it argues that understanding these categories is essential for appreciating the methodological integrity, historical development, and enduring relevance of Qur’ānic interpretation in Islamic thought.