Islam · Texts & transmission
Al-Tabari develops a vast Qur’an commentary
839–923 CE (al-Tabari’s lifetime)
Al-Tabari was a jurist, historian, and interpreter of the Qur’an who eventually settled in Baghdad. His extensive commentary discussed the text verse by verse, preserving and evaluating earlier interpretations. His work demonstrates how scripture generated substantial traditions of learned discussion and disagreement.
Why it matters
The commentary introduces tafsir, the interpretation of the Qur’an, and gives readers an example of how inherited reports and reasoning interact in scholarship.
About the date
Lifespan provides context; it is not a continuous composition date.
Baghdad
City where al-Tabari settled and pursued his scholarly career.
city orientation
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