The Tafsīr Methodology of ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās (RA): An Analytical Study in the Light of Ḥadīth Literature

حضرت عبداللہ بن عباسؓ کا تفسیری منہج: کتبِ حدیث کی روشنی میں تحقیقی و تجزیاتی مطالعہ

Abstract

ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās (RA), famously known as Tarjumān al-Qur’ān, holds a central position among the early exegetes of Islam. This research explores his distinctive methodology of Qur’anic interpretation as documented in the canonical Hadith collections and other early Islamic sources. Ibn ʿAbbās’s interpretative approach was deeply rooted in the direct teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who personally prayed for him to be granted deep understanding of the Qur’an. This study draws from major Hadith works such as Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Musnad Aḥmad, Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah, and Muṣannaf ʿAbd al-Razzāq, to critically examine his exegetical contributions. The article investigates key features of his tafsīr methodology, including his emphasis on Asbāb al-Nuzūl (contexts of revelation), linguistic analysis, verse interrelation, and use of Prophetic traditions. It also evaluates his cautious approach towards Isrāʾīliyyāt, applying specific criteria for their acceptance or rejection. Furthermore, it highlights how his interpretive legacy laid the foundation for subsequent Qur’anic scholarship. This analytical study not only reinforces the significance of Ibn ʿAbbās’s role in shaping early tafsīr literature but also illustrates how the Hadith corpus served as a critical resource for Qur’anic interpretation. It provides valuable insights for modern Qur’anic scholarship by showcasing the balance he maintained between textual fidelity, contextual relevance, and Prophetic tradition.