Sunni Tafsir Sources

One of the most widely read tafsir works in the Muslim world. Relies heavily on authentic hadith and explanations of the Companions, earning it a reputation as the most accessible narration-based commentary.

A concise, widely-studied commentary written by two scholars. Al-Mahalli began from Surah al-Kahf and al-Suyuti completed the rest after his teacher's death. The name "Jalalayn" means "the two Jalals."

One of the earliest tafsir works, attributed to the Prophet's cousin Ibn Abbas, known as "the interpreter of the Quran" (Tarjuman al-Quran).

The first systematic work dedicated to documenting the historical circumstances and events that occasioned the revelation of Quranic verses.

The foundational and most authoritative classical tafsir. Al-Tabari compiles thousands of narrations from the Companions and Successors with full isnads, then evaluates and selects the most correct view.

The great encyclopedic commentary combining Quranic exegesis with Ash'ari theology, philosophy, and natural sciences. Known for its exhaustive treatment of theological questions.

A concise and widely studied narration-based tafsir that distills the best of earlier classical works. Prized for its balance between brevity and scholarly rigor.

The definitive legal tafsir of the Maliki school. Systematically derives juristic rulings from each verse, with comprehensive discussion of scholarly disagreements across all four Sunni schools.

An early comprehensive Hanafi-oriented tafsir combining narration-based commentary with linguistic analysis and legal reasoning. One of the formative works of the classical tradition.

A balanced, moderate-length Hanafi commentary widely taught in traditional seminaries. Integrates grammar, rhetoric, jurisprudence, and theology in a clear and accessible style.

A concise and erudite commentary by the great Hanbali scholar Ibn al-Jawzi. Presents the main transmitted opinions on each verse with linguistic notes and evaluates their relative strength.

The complete, unabridged edition of Ibn Kathir's tafsir — one of the most comprehensive narration-based commentaries in Islamic scholarship.

A simplified, committee-authored tafsir produced by the King Fahd Complex for Printing the Quran. Designed for accessibility and clarity.

A compilation of Quranic interpretations attributed to the Companion Ibn Abbas, presented as concise word-by-word explanations.

A modern, accessible tafsir widely used in South Asia and its diaspora. Originally written in Urdu, it combines classical scholarship with contemporary relevance and addresses modern issues through Quranic guidance.

A modern commentary emphasizing peace, spirituality, and the Quran's relevance to contemporary life. Known for its clarity and accessibility.

A beloved modern commentary known for its clarity, spiritual depth, and focus on practical guidance. Widely studied throughout the Arabian Peninsula.

A comprehensive modern tafsir written by the former Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. Balances classical scholarship with contemporary interpretation.