How to Pronounce mufassir

Meaning and Context

A mufassir (plural: mufassirun) is an erudite Islamic scholar who dedicates their expertise to the discipline of tafsir, the systematic exegesis and interpretation of the Quran. This specialized role is foundational to Islamic theology and Quranic studies, requiring mastery of classical Arabic, the sciences of the Quran (ulum al-Quran), Hadith, Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), and historical context (asbab al-nuzul). The work of a mufassir is not merely linguistic translation but involves elucidating the meanings of the Quran, exploring its legal and ethical injunctions, and deriving guidance relevant to the lives of Muslims. Renowned commentators like Ibn Kathir, who died in 1373 CE, Al-Tabari (d. 923 CE), and Al-Qurtubi (d. 1273 CE) produced monumental tafsir books that remain essential references in Islamic religious education and scholarship today. Through their detailed Quranic exegesis, mufassirun provide the intellectual framework for understanding the holy text's layers of meaning, ensuring its teachings are accurately conveyed and applied within Islamic law and spiritual practice across diverse Muslim communities globally.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary term, mufassir, is a direct transliteration from the Arabic مُفَسِّر. Common alternative transliterations include mufassir (with a single 's') and mufassir. A frequent misspelling occurs by confusing the root letters, leading to errors like "mufasir" (omitting one 's') or "mufassar." The related discipline, tafsir, is also sometimes misspelled as "tafseer" or "tafsir," reflecting different phonetic interpretations. It is important to distinguish a mufassir (the interpreter) from tafsir (the interpretation itself) and from a mufti (a scholar who issues legal rulings), though a single individual may fulfill multiple roles. When writing in English, the term is often italicized as a foreign word, though common usage is increasingly seeing it integrated without italics.

Example Sentences

Aspiring students of the Quran often begin their studies by reading the classical commentary of a respected mufassir such as Imam Al-Tabari.

To understand the historical context of a specific verse, the scholar referred to the works of several mufassirun from different Islamic golden ages.

Modern mufassir Dr.

Mustafa Khattab, translator of The Clear Quran, exemplifies how contemporary scholars continue this tradition for English-speaking audiences.

Her thesis analyzed how female mufassirun have contributed unique perspectives to the field of Quranic exegesis throughout history.

Before delivering his sermon on the parable, the imam consulted multiple tafsir books to ensure his explanation aligned with mainstream scholarly interpretation.

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