Tafsir Naeemi

Tafsir Naeemi
Set, Naeemi Kutub Khana, Lahore, 2009
AuthorMufti Ahmad Yar Khan Naeemi
Original titleتفسیر نعیمی
LanguageUrdu
GenreTafsir
PublisherNaeemi Kutub Khana, Lahore
Publication date
1944 (Vol. 1) – 1971 (Vol. 11)
Media typeHardcover print (11 Volumes)
Pages6,787

Tafsir Naeemi (Urdu: تفسیر نعیمی), originally titled Ashraf al-Tafasir (1363 AH/1944 CE), is a comprehensive tafsir (exegesis of the Quran) in Urdu by Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Naeemi (1906–1971). It consists of 11 volumes, each covering one juz (section) of the Quran. The work incorporates material from classical Sunni tafsirs such as Tafsir al-Kabir, Tafsir Ruh al-Bayan, Tafsir al-Baydawi, Tafsir al-Jalalayn, Tafsir Khazin and others. Its distinctive feature is that under each Qur'anic verse, the following eleven points are included in detail, which are generally not found in other Urdu tafsirs:[1]

  1. The Arabic text of the verse
  2. A literal translation
  3. An idiomatic translation
  4. The connection (ta‘alluq) of each verse to preceding verses
  5. Occasions of revelation (asbab al-nuzul)
  6. Detailed scholarly commentary
  7. A summary of the interpretation
  8. Extracted lessons
  9. Jurisprudential (fiqh) rulings
  10. Responses to objections and criticisms
  11. A mystical (sufi) commentary

This multi-layered approach made the work accessible to scholars, jurists, sufis, preachers and lay readers alike. The author continued writing until his death in 1971, completing commentary on the first eleven parts.

Style and methodology

The books is characterized by:

  • Extensive use of classical Arabic tafsirs, with quotations and comparative interpretations.
  • Explanations of multiple possible meanings of a single phrase; for example:
Number of interpretations Verse (Arabic) Volume & Page
9 interpretations وَ اَنْزَلْنَاۤ اِلَیْكَ الْكِتٰبَ بِالْحَقِّ‎ Vol. 6, p. 465
7 interpretations وَ لَا تَقْتُلُوْۤا اَنْفُسَكُم‎ Vol. 5, p. 35
10 interpretations یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا‎ Vol. 5, p. 478
  • Lexical and semantic distinctions between near-synonyms:
Words distinguished Volume & Page
muwaddat (affection), mahabbah (love) and khullah (intimate friendship) Vol. 5, p. 430
darak (depth) and darajah (rank) Vol. 5, p. 509
khatm (concealment), ikhfa (hiding) and sir (secret) Vol. 5, p. 73
  • Use of analogies and parables to explain complex concepts.
  • Frequent inclusion of Arabic, Persian and Urdu poetry (including the author’s own verses under his pen-name Salik).
  • Engagement with objections from various religious and sectarian perspectives (Hindus, Christians, rationalists, etc.), providing counter-arguments in a structured manner:
Topic Volume & Page
objections on faith and guidance Vol. 1, p. 153
objections on intercession Vol. 1, p. 366
objections on abrogation (naskh) Vol. 1, p. 621
objections on fasting Vol. 2, p. 213

Sources

The tafsir draws upon classical Sunni works, including:

History

Writing

The writing of Tafsir Naeemi was completed over a period of twenty-eight years (1363–1391 AH / 1944–1971 CE). Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Naeemi began with Volume 1 in 1363 AH (1944 CE) and concluded with Volumes 10 and 11 in 1391 AH (1971 CE).

Vol. Juz’

(Part)

Year

(AH)

Year

(CE)

1 1 1363 1944
2 2 1364 1945
3 3 1365 1946
4 4 1381 1961
5 5 1383 1963
6 6 1386 1966
7 7 1387 1967
8 8 1388 1968
9 9 1390 1970
10 10 1391 1971
11 11 1391 1971

Publication (year 2009 edition)

Many editions of Tafsir Naeemi have been published in different cities across the world over the years. The table below provides the details of one such edition, the 2009 publication by Naeemi Kutub Khanah at Lahore.

Vol. Pub. date Pages
1 2009 701
2 ND 582
3 2009 630
4 ND 650
5 2010 616
6 2012 646
7 ND 673
8 2009 592
9 2009 561
10 2014 568
11 2011 568

Reception

The tafsir is widely referenced in Urdu scholarship. Contemporary scholars have praised its blend of traditional exegesis with accessible explanations.[2] It continues to be cited in religious seminaries and among Sunni scholars of South Asia.

Bibliography

Primary sources

Secondary sources

See also

References

  1. ^ Shafqat Ali, "A Research Study of Tafsir Naeemi’s Style and Methodology", Mirrat al-Arifeen International, May 2020.
  2. ^ Mohammad Shoaib Attari, "Features of Tafsir Naeemi (Vol. 1)", al-Tafsir, Karachi, Vol. 8, No. 23 (2014), pp. 169–192.
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