Providing a useful review of The Commentary on the Quran Vol. 2 by Al-Tabari requires understanding both the specific content of this volume (which generally covers Surah Al-Baqarah and Al-Imran) and the monumental status of the work as a whole.
Here is a detailed review structured for students, researchers, and general readers.
In an age of superficial online fatwas and decontextualized Quranic quotes, "The Commentary on the Quran Vol. 2 by Al-Tabari" is an anchor to authenticity. It drags the reader back to the first three centuries of Islam, a period the Prophet himself called "the best of generations."
Owning this volume is like possessing a master key to the scholarly tradition. When you read Volume 2, you are not just reading Al-Tabari; you are reading through him the voices of Ibn Abbas, Ali ibn Abi Talib, Mujahid, Qatadah, and scores of early masters. You witness the living, breathing process of interpretation—where faith meets reason, where revelation interacts with history, and where the Word of God is defended, explained, and cherished. The Commentary On The Quran Vol. 2 By Al-tabari
For anyone serious about understanding the Quran beyond the surface whisper of translation, Volume 2 of Al-Tabari’s Commentary is not an option—it is a necessity. It reminds us that the Quran is a deep ocean, and with a guide like Al-Tabari, we can finally glimpse its floor.
Where to find it: This volume is available through major academic publishers (Oxford University Press), university libraries, and specialized Islamic bookstores. Look for the SUNY Press series or the Great Tafsirs of the Holy Qur’an project for the most recent critical editions.
The influence of this volume cannot be overstated. Every major commentator who came after—Ibn Kathir (d. 1373), Al-Suyuti (d. 1505), Al-Alusi (d. 1854)—stood on the shoulders of Al-Tabari. When Ibn Kathir wrote his Tafsir (which is more popular today due to its brevity), he was essentially condensing and re-verifying Al-Tabari. Providing a useful review of The Commentary on
Furthermore, in the modern era, the printing of The Commentary on the Quran Vol. 2 and its companion volumes by publishing houses like Dar al-Tafsir and Mu’assasat al-Risalah revolutionized Islamic scholarship. For the first time, the ijtihad of a 3rd-century Hijri Imam became accessible to the masses, not just the elite.
As Volume 2 transitions into Surah Al-Imran, the tone shifts from law to narrative theology. Al-Tabari provides a detailed historical background of the birth of Maryam, relying heavily on Judeo-Christian traditions (Isra’iliyyat) that he deems historically useful, though not theologically binding. He traces the miracle of Prophet Isa speaking in the cradle and his creation "like Adam" (from dust). This section is critical for interfaith dialogue, as Al-Tabari refutes both Jewish slander of Mary and Christian claims of Jesus’ divinity, presenting the Quranic golden mean.
"Do you enjoin righteousness upon the people while you forget yourselves?" Students of Islamic Law: This volume is indispensable
Tabari spends nearly ten pages on the Arabic word Tansawna (you forget). He brings pre-Islamic poetry to prove that the root word Nasiya can mean both "to forget" and "to abandon deliberately." He argues that the verse actually means the hypocrites deliberately abandoned their own souls while preaching to others. This shifts the verse from a mere memory lapse to a harsh indictment of hypocrisy.
To appreciate Volume 2, you must appreciate Tabari’s radical (for his time) methodology. He did not believe in offering his own opinion (Ra'y) on the Quran without evidence. Instead, he built a pyramid of authority.
Example from Volume 2: When discussing the "strike" command in the story of the cow (Baqarah 2:73), Tabari doesn't just explain the miracle. He records four different scholarly opinions on what kind of strike it was (a branch, a piece of the cow, etc.), traces each back to a Companion, and then chooses the strongest narration.
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.
