Tafseer Ibn Katheer Juz’ ‘Amma: Part 30 of the Qur’an

Surah al Fatiha is the greatest chapter of the Qur’an, its like is not found in the  rest of the Book or in the previous scriptures. It is a

Light that was granted to Prophet Muhammad (S) which had not been granted  to any other Prophet or Messenger before him; indeed

some of the  Salaf stated that when this chapter was revealed, Shaytãn l let out a great cry of lament.

It holds a central position in the daily Prayer hence the daily life of the Muslim.

The underlying theme, of al-Fatiha  is one of contemplation and serenity; pondering the Names and Attributes of Allah, pondering the creation , and acknowledging that He Alone deserves praise and Worship, that He Alone should be asked for help, that He Alone Should be feared and hoped in, that He Alone should be invoked, that there  is indeed a Day of Judgment, and that guidance has come to us and we are required to follow it.

It calls us to carefully scrutinise our  relationship with our Lord: are we living according to the dictates of  ‘none has the right to be worshipped save of Allah’ or not? This opening chapter, despite its brevity, calls man to fulfil the rights of Tawhid, the right that Allah has over us to worship Him Alone without any partner

A Summary of numerous Classical Commentaries of the Qur’an

at-Tabari, al-Baghawi, Az-Zamakhshari, ibn Atityyah, Ibn Jawzi, Al-Qurtubi, Ibn Qayyim, Ibn Kathir, as-Suyuti, Alusi, ash-Shawkani, as-Sa’di, ash-Shaqiti and many Others

Usool at-Tafseer, essentially refers to the branches of knowledge necessary for providing an accurate interpretation of the Quranic texts, such as Arabic grammar and syntax, Arabic literature and Quranic sciences (Uloom al-Quran). Familiarity with modern fields of learning, like the pure sciences and social sciences is also necessary for a commentator in this era to make the Quraanic explanations relevant to human society. This book addresses the actual step-by-step methodology of interpreting Quran to ensure that interpretations are not merely the result of human whims and fancies.