Read explanations of Quranic verses from classical and modern scholars.
Tafsir (Arabic: تفسير, also spelled tafseer) means the scholarly interpretation and explanation of the Holy Quran. Because the Quran is the literal speech of Allah revealed in the precise Arabic of 7th-century Arabia, understanding its meaning, context (asbab al-nuzul), grammar, and legal implications has been the work of generations of scholars. Tafsir is one of the most essential branches of Islamic scholarship.
Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim by Imam Ismail Ibn Kathir (d. 774 AH / 1373 CE) is the most widely respected and read tafsir in the Sunni tradition. It explains each verse using other verses, authentic hadith, and the statements of the Companions and early Muslims (the Salaf). Considered indispensable for serious students of the Quran.
Tafsir Al-Jalalayn (The Tafsir of the Two Jalals) is a concise, verse-by-verse explanation compiled by Jalal al-Din al-Mahalli (d. 864 AH) and completed by his student Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti (d. 911 AH). Famous for its brevity and clarity, it is the most commonly memorized tafsir in traditional Islamic schools.
Taysir al-Karim ar-Rahman fi Tafsir Kalam al-Mannan by Sheikh Abd ar-Rahman as-Sa'di (d. 1376 AH / 1956 CE) is a modern tafsir famous for its accessibility, spiritual warmth, and focus on the lessons and benefits (fawa'id) of each passage. Highly recommended for everyday reading.
Jami al-Bayan by Imam Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari (d. 310 AH / 923 CE) is the earliest major surviving tafsir and the foundation of all subsequent tafsir bil-ma'thur (tafsir by transmission). It is the most exhaustive collection of early narrations on the Quran's meaning.
Al-Jami li-Ahkam al-Quran by Imam al-Qurtubi (d. 671 AH) is the most famous tafsir from a Maliki jurisprudence perspective, especially valuable for deriving Islamic law from the Quran.
A translation gives the literal meaning of the Arabic words. A tafsir additionally explains the context, reason for revelation, grammatical nuances, related hadiths, scholarly opinions, and lessons. Tafsir is much deeper.
For everyday reading, Tafsir As-Sa'di is the easiest. For serious study, Tafsir Ibn Kathir is the standard. For brief look-ups during recitation, Al-Jalalayn is ideal.
Yes — Ibn Kathir, Al-Jalalayn and As-Sa'di are available in English here. Al-Tabari and Al-Qurtubi are provided in their original Arabic.
Yes. Each verse is shown with its Surah and verse number (e.g., 2:255 for Ayat al-Kursi) and the tafsir source is clearly labeled.