1. A Window to Lost Schools of Thought: When you read Volume 2, you encounter the opinions of early jurists like Al-Awza’i and Ibn Abi Layla, whose legal schools vanished. Al-Tabari preserves their logic, preventing historical amnesia.
2. The Refutation of Extremism: Modern extremists often cherry-pick verses out of context. Al-Tabari’s exhaustive method forces the reader to see the temporal and situational context of verses regarding fighting, peace treaties, and relations with Jews and Christians. He clearly shows that the "Sword Verse" (2:191) is specifically about those who break treaties and attack first.
3. Linguistic Depth: For the non-Arab, Volume 2 is a masterclass in classical Arabic poetry. To explain a rare word in Al-Baqarah, Al-Tabari quotes pre-Islamic poets like Zuhayr or Imru' al-Qais. It is impossible to truly understand the "inimitability of the Quran" without seeing how Al-Tabari deconstructs its grammar.
The English translation of Volume 2 is primarily the work of Dr. John Cooper (late of Oxford University) and a team of editors under the Great Commentaries of the Holy Qur’an series (published by Oxford University Press in association with the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought). The translation is unique because it attempts to preserve the isnad format in English, often using the passive voice ("It was reported to us that..."). This creates a formal, archaic tone that feels appropriate to the classical text. Marginal glosses provide page references to the original Arabic, allowing bilingual scholars to cross-reference easily.
The Work in Context Al-Tabari’s Jami‘ al-bayan ‘an ta’wil ay al-Qur’an (commonly known as Tafsir al-Tabari) is widely regarded as the foundational work of classical Quranic interpretation. Volume 2 of this multi-volume set (depending on the edition/translation) typically covers a crucial stretch of the Quran’s middle Medinan chapters—often including parts of Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow), Aal-Imran (Family of Imran), and Al-Nisa’ (The Women). These chapters contain the bulk of Islamic legal, social, and theological principles.
Key Features of Volume 2
What You Will Find in a Typical Volume 2 (English translation)
For Whom Is This Book Useful?
Caveats & Practical Advice
Final Verdict The Commentary on the Quran Vol. 2 is less a book you “read cover to cover” and more a reference encyclopaedia of early Islamic thought. Owning it is like having a direct line to the first three generations of Muslim scholarship. If you are serious about understanding how classical Islam derived law, theology, and ethics from the Quran, Al-Tabari’s second volume is indispensable.
The Weaving of Tradition: An Analysis of Al-Tabari’s Commentary on the Quran, Vol. 2
In the vast canon of Islamic literature, few works hold a pedestal as high as Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari’s Jami' al-bayan 'an ta'wil ay al-Qur'an, commonly known as Tafsir al-Tabari. While the entirety of this thirty-volume magnum opus is considered the anchor of Sunni exegesis, Volume 2 holds a distinct significance in the transition from the foundational chapters of the Quran to the longest and most legally complex Surah, Al-Baqara. As a masterpiece of the tafsir bi'l-ma'thur (interpretation based on transmitted reports), Volume 2 serves as a critical window into the early intellectual history of Islam, showcasing Al-Tabari’s rigorous methodology, his encyclopedic preservation of narrations, and his role as the "Imam of the Mufassirun" (exegetes).
To understand the weight of Volume 2, one must first situate Al-Tabari within the 9th and 10th centuries CE (3rd and 4th centuries AH). This was a period of consolidation, where the oral traditions of the Prophet Muhammad and his Companions were being systematically recorded to combat the rise of theological sectarianism and weak narrations. Volume 2, which typically covers the continuation of Surah Al-Baqara, exemplifies the "Tabari style." Unlike later exegetes who might lean heavily on philosophical reasoning or linguistic analysis, Al-Tabari’s primary objective in this volume is the preservation of the Athar (traditions). He acts not merely as an author, but as a meticulous archivist.
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.
Thematically, Volume 2 deals heavily with the shift from the abstract theological statements of the opening Fatihah to the concrete legislation of Al-Baqara. Here, Al-Tabari’s commentary shines in its treatment of the "Change of the Qibla" (the direction of prayer). This event is a watershed moment in early Islamic history, marking the separation of the Muslim community from the Jewish community of Medina. Al-Tabari does not simply narrate the event; he curates a symphony of voices discussing the psychology of the believers, the test of obedience, and the theological implications of God’s command. By presenting multiple narrations regarding the location and timing of the change, Al-Tabari allows the reader to see the layers of historical memory surrounding the event, rather than flattening it into a single, singular narrative.
Furthermore, Volume 2 highlights Al-Tabari’s skills as a jurist (faqih). While he is famous for transmitting traditions, he does not shy away from weighing in on disagreements. A prime example found in this volume is the commentary on the verse regarding divorce and menstruation. Al-Tabari lists the varying opinions of early authorities—some interpreting a specific term as "pure," others as "menstruating." After laying out the evidence, he employs his own reason and linguistic expertise to declare which interpretation he deems most correct. This demonstrates that Tafsir al-Tabari is not a passive collection of quotes; it is an active legal argument. It represents the maturation of the Hanbali or Shafi'i approach to jurisprudence, where transmitted text is the ultimate arbiter, but human intellect is required to discern the strongest chain.
The volume also addresses the narratives of the Prophets and the "Children of Israel." Al-Tabari includes many Isra'iliyyat (narrations originating from Jewish or Christian traditions) within his commentary. While later critics would sometimes exclude such material, Al-Tabari’s inclusion in Volume 2 serves a historical function. It shows the porous nature of religious storytelling in the medieval period and how early Muslims understood the Quranic references to biblical figures like Moses and Abraham. By keeping these narrations, Al-Tabari provides modern historians with an invaluable resource for understanding the interreligious dialogue (or lack thereof) of his era. The Commentary On The Quran Vol. 2 By Al-tabari
In conclusion, the second volume of Al-Tabari’s Commentary is more than a book of theology; it is a monument to early Islamic scholasticism. It captures the moment when the oral culture of the desert gave way to the written codex of the empire. Through his exhaustive collection of narrations and his careful, though assertive, legal reasoning, Al-Tabari established the standard for all subsequent tafsir works
A review of The Commentary on the Qur’an, Volume 2 by Abu Ja'far Muhammad b. Jarir al-Tabari (d. 923 CE) varies depending on the specific edition. Modern English readers typically encounter this work through either the abridged translation series started by J. Cooper or the selections compiled by Scott C. Lucas. Core Significance and Style
Al-Tabari's Jami‘ al-bayan is the earliest major Quranic commentary to survive in its original form and is considered a foundational pillar of Sunni scholarship. Often described as "the mother of all tafsirs," it was the first work to systematically organize the massive body of oral traditions into a written exegetical synthesis.
Methodology: Al-Tabari uses a "riwaya" (transmission) approach, citing chains of narrations from the Prophet, his companions, and their successors.
Linguistic Depth: The work is notable for its minute focus on Arabic grammar, poetry, and variant readings (qira'at) to clarify meaning.
Intellectual Integrity: Reviewers highlight Tabari's lack of prejudice; he often presents conflicting reports and weighs them without forcing a single preconceived notion on the reader. Content Breakdown for Volume 2
In the widely circulated Selections From Qur'an Tafseer At-Tabari translated by Scott C. Lucas, Volume 2 focuses on approximately 32 selected suras and passages chosen for their special merits. Key sections include:
Beware: This is not a "bedtime story" book nor a modern spiritual guide. Reading Al-Tabari is like reading a legal brief from a genius. What You Will Find in a Typical Volume
The Hard Part: Volume 2 is dense. The chains of narration (Isnad) can be repetitive. A modern reader might get lost in the weeds of "Narrated to us by Al-Hasan ibn Yahya, who said Ahmad ibn Muhammad told us, who said..." But if you skip those chains, you miss the proof.
Volume 2 begins in medias res with the controversy of the Qibla shift from Jerusalem to Mecca. Al-Tabari dedicates dozens of pages to the reactions of the Jews of Medina and the hypocrites. He brilliantly collates reports explaining why the change occurred—testing the faithful versus the faint-hearted. He explores the linguistic root of Qibla (direction) and even includes a map-like description (in text) of the Kaaba’s position relative to Medina.
"The Commentary on the Quran Vol. 2 By Al-Tabari" is not a book you finish in a weekend; it is a companion for a lifetime. It captures a moment in Islamic history when the oral tradition was being meticulously codified into an unbreakable written record. In its pages, you will find the tears of the early Muslims, the logic of their legal debates, and the awe they felt when confronted with the Divine Word.
Whether you are a university researcher in Islamic Studies, a student at a madrasa, or a layperson seeking a profound connection with Surah Al-Baqarah and Al-Imran, acquiring and studying this volume is an investment in intellectual and spiritual depth. To read Al-Tabari is to sit at the feet of the greatest teacher in the Sunni tradition. Volume 2, specifically, is where the journey gets serious—where law meets history, and theology meets polemic.
Pick it up. The words of Imam al-Tabari are waiting.
Call to Action: Have you read Volume 2 of Tafsir al-Tabari? What was your most surprising discovery regarding the stories of the Prophets or the rulings of Fasting? Share your thoughts in the history books.
Yes, but bring a dictionary and patience.
Volume 2 of Al-Tabari’s commentary is not a book; it is a tool. When you read it, you are sitting in the study of the greatest mind of the 10th century. You watch him argue with his teachers, weigh the grammar of Basra against the grammar of Kufa, and ultimately bow to the text of the Quran. For Whom Is This Book Useful
If you want to understand why Islam looks the way it does theologically and legally, you cannot skip this. It is the root from which nearly every subsequent Tafsir (Ibn Kathir, Suyuti, Qurtubi) grew.
Recommended For: Seminary students, historians of religion, and advanced Arabic learners. Not Recommended For: Casual spiritual seekers looking for emotional uplift.