In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
[Introduction]
Indeed, all praise is due to Allah; we praise Him, seek His help, seek His forgiveness, and repent to Him. We seek refuge in Allah from the evils of our own selves and from the wickedness of our deeds. Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide, and whoever He leaves astray, none can guide. We bear witness that our master Muhammad is His servant and messenger, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, his family, and his companions, and may He grant them abundant peace.
(To proceed): Allah, the Almighty, has made the Great Qur’an a guidance against misguidance, a light for hearts, a healing for what is in the breasts, and a mercy for a people who believe. Through it, Allah has brought forth whomever He wills from the darkness of error and ignorance into the light of faith and knowledge.
For the Qur’an is the final of the Books; therefore, it contains beneficial sciences and knowledge. Among the most beneficial sciences of the Qur’an is the science of Tafsir (exegesis), for through it we contemplate its meanings, act upon what it contains, seek guidance from its light, comply with its commands, abstain from its prohibitions, affirm its reports, and take heed from its stories.
The predecessors of this nation would return to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) whenever they encountered something that was difficult for them, so he would clarify the intended meaning and explain it to them.
It is narrated on the authority of Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: "The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to teach them ten verses, and they would not proceed to the next ten until they had learned what they contained of action. Thus, he taught us the Qur’an and action together."
And since the Tafsir of the Noble Qur’an is among the most important sciences needed by Muslims—both scholars and students—Allah (the Exalted and Majestic) has designated scholars in every age who have undertaken the burdens of that task.
