A Historical Stuty of the Classesof Qur’anic Exegetes from the Dawn of Islam to the Present Age

Abstract

The science of Ṭabaqāt (classification of scholars by generation or era) is considered one of the most important branches of Islamic scholarship, alongside other sciences, to which Muslim scholars have devoted particular attention, producing numerous valuable works on the subject. Among these, the science of Ṭabaqāt al-Mufassirīn—the classification of Qur’anic exegetes—holds a distinguished position, as the interpretation and explanation of the meanings of the Book of Allah are entrusted to these scholars, who are regarded as the representatives of this discipline. Despite its significance, this field has received comparatively less attention; the number of authored works is very limited, and it is not formally taught as a distinct subject in the curricula of Islamic seminaries or universities, whether in specialized or general programs. Educational materials on the topic in Persian are scarce and scattered, making the concept unfamiliar to many students. Recognizing its importance, some Muslim scholars made passing references to it in their writings; however, no independent book was written on the subject until the year 900 AH. The first scholar to author a dedicated work in Ṭabaqāt al-Mufassirīn was Imām Jalāl al-Dīn al-Suyūṭī, who stated in the introduction to his book that while other Islamic sciences had independent compilations of Ṭabaqāt, no such work had been produced for Qur’anic exegetes. Following him, scholars such as Abū Sa‘īd Ṣun‘ Allāh al-Kūzah al-Kinānī, Imām al-Dāwūdī, Shaykh al-Adarnī, and others paid due attention to this discipline and produced valuable contributions. The methodologies employed in compiling these works generally followed two approaches: some authors organized the entries of exegetes in alphabetical order, while others arranged them chronologically by centuries, recording their biographies in detail so that a deep and precise understanding of each exegete, their interpretive approach, and the scholarly value of their tafsīr could be achieved. From these observations, this study aims to introduce and elucidate the science of Ṭabaqāt al-Mufassirīn, to examine its historical progression and development across different centuries, and to analyze the compilation methods adopted by authors in this field over time. Such an inquiry into the biographies of Qur’anic exegetes and their exegetical methods provides insight into their scholarly and historical standing, reveals the evolution of intellectual trends and sectarian orientations, and highlights the impact of political, cultural, and religious contexts—thus enabling scholars and students to engage with this discipline in a more informed and profound manner. These considerations constitute the primary outcomes and ultimate findings of this research.