Tafsir is an Arabic word which means “to open” or “to explain”. Technically, the science of Tafsir is a branch of knowledge meant to interpret and explain the verses of the Holy Quran.

It has been the consistent practice of Allah Almighty that He did never send a divine book without a prophet, whose basic objective was to explain the contents of the book and to teach the people how they should mould their lives according to the guidance provided by that divine book. The Holy Quran itself makes it clear that the major function entrusted to the Holy Prophet Muhammad was “to teach the Book” (see 2:129, 151, 3:164, 62:2) and “to explain to the people what is revealed to them.” (See 16:44) 

Accordingly, the Holy Prophet has not only conveyed the words of the Holy Quran accurately, but has also explained to his noble Sahabah how to recite it, and how to understand its correct meanings.

It is on the basis of the explanations given by the Holy Prophet and his blessed Sahabah, who learnt the Holy Quran directly from the Holy Prophet, that the Muslim scholars have developed the science of Tafsir as a branch of knowledge, which not only explains the meanings of the Holy Text, but also lays down the principles of its interpretation, so that its true import is fully preserved and protected against all sorts of distortions.

The science of Tafsir has its own fascinating history, which cannot be described in this short introduction. Nevertheless, it will be pertinent here to. Summarize the basic sources on which this science has placed its reliance while interpreting the Holy Quran.

(The meanings of the Noble Quran)