Explore ClassicalArabic Tafsirin English
Understand the Quran deeper.
Making centuries of Islamic scholarship accessible in English, with AI.
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What's in the tool
AI Translation
Classical Arabic tafsir translated into English with large language models.
Fifteen Scholars
At-Tabari, Al-Qurtubi, Ibn Kathir, Ar-Razi, Ibn al-Jawzi, Ibn Qayyim, As-Saadi, Ibn Ashur, Al-Alusi, Al-Baghawi, Sayyid Qutb, Al-Biqa'i, Ibn Atiyyah, and Al-Zamakhshari.
Verse Summaries
A short summary alongside each tafsir entry.
Side-by-side Arabic
Original Arabic shown next to the English translation.
Spot-reviewed
Entries are spot-reviewed by a second AI, by shaykhs, and by our team. Spot-checks, not full review — please flag problems using the in-app report button.
Integrated Notes
Take notes directly in the Quran via Qurannotate.
Most classical Arabic tafsir has never been translated into English.
Classical tafsir, in English
Classical Arabic tafsir has largely stayed in Arabic. TafsirTool uses AI to translate fifteen classical works — At-Tabari, Ibn Kathir, Ar-Razi, Al-Zamakhshari, and others — and publishes them alongside the original Arabic. Translations are spot-reviewed, not exhaustively checked; the tool is in beta.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Tafsir is the Arabic term for Quranic commentary or interpretation. It's a scholarly tradition where Islamic scholars explain the meanings, context, and teachings of the Quran. Classical tafsir works provide deep insights into the linguistic, historical, and theological aspects of the Quranic text.
Fifteen scholars: At-Tabari (d. 923 CE), Al-Baghawi (d. 1122), Al-Qurtubi (d. 1273), Ibn Kathir (d. 1373), Ar-Razi (d. 1210), Ibn Al-Jawzi (d. 1201), Ibn Qayyim (d. 1350), Al-Alusi (d. 1854), As-Saadi (d. 1956), Ibn Ashur (d. 1973), Sayyid Qutb (d. 1966), Al-Biqa'i (d. 1480), Ibn Atiyyah (d. 1147), and Al-Zamakhshari (d. 1144).
Yes, TafsirTool is free to use.
Translations are produced by large language models and spot-reviewed — by a second AI, by shaykhs, and by our team. They are not exhaustively verified. Treat the tool as a study aid, cross-reference scholars, and consult qualified teachers for anything consequential. Use the in-app report button to flag errors.
As-Saadi and Ibn Kathir are more accessible for readers new to tafsir. At-Tabari is broader and more historical. Al-Qurtubi covers legal rulings in detail. Comparing scholars on the same verse is often useful.
Yes. Choose a surah, verse, and scholar from the homepage. You can switch scholars and navigate between verses from the tafsir page.
TafsirTool is, to our knowledge, the first place to read English translations of multiple classical Arabic tafsir works side by side. Most of these works have not been available in English before.
Coverage varies by scholar. Most surahs have entries from most scholars; some verses are covered by verse-range entries rather than per-verse. Coverage is expanding.
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Important Disclaimer
TafsirTool provides AI-powered translations of classical Arabic tafsir. While we strive for accuracy, these translations should be used as a study aid alongside consultation with qualified scholars. For critical religious matters, please consult knowledgeable teachers.