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Tafsir al-Mahaimi
Book by Makhdoom Ali Mahimi From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Tabsir al-Rahman wa Taysir al-Mannan bi-ba'd ma yashir ila I'jaz al-Quran (Arabic: تـبـصـيـر الـرحـمـن وتـيـسـيـر الـمـنـان بـبـعـض مـا يـشـيـر إلـى إعـجـاز الـقـرآن, commonly known as Tafsir al-Mahaimi, is a 15th-century Quranic commentary authored by the Indian Sufi scholar Makhdoom Ali Mahimi. It is regarded as one of the earliest Quranic exegeses produced in the Indian subcontinent. The work combines mystical, philosophical, and linguistic interpretations. Its methodological approach influenced several later scholars, including Shah Abdul Aziz Dehlavi and Ashraf Ali Thanwi, particularly in Thanwi's Bayan al-Quran.
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Background
The full title of Mahimi's work is Tabsir al-Rahman wa Taysir al-Mannan ba'd ma yushiru ila I'jaz al-Quran, though it is more commonly known by its shorter name, Tafsir al-Mahaimi.[1] A companion text, Nuzhat al-Qulub fi Tafsir Gharib al-Quran by Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Aziz al-Sijistani, is frequently found in the margins of surviving manuscripts.[2] The commentary demonstrates the influence from the Andalusian mystic Ibn Arabi and integrates elements of Sufism, rational analysis, and theological reflection.[3]
The work was printed at the Bulaq Press in Egypt under the patronage of Muhammad Jamal al-Din Dehlawi, an administrator of the Bhopal State. His associate, Muhammad Husayn Faqir Dehlawi, was sent to Egypt to supervise the publication process.[2]
Mahimi's interpretive method influenced several later South Asian scholars. Among them, Shah Abdul Aziz adopted Mahimi's emphasis on Quranic coherence (nazm), while Ashraf Ali Thanwi, Hussain Ali, Hamiduddin Farahi, Ghulam Ullah Khan, and Amin Ahsan Islahi incorporated aspects of his exegetical approach in their own writings.[4]
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Content and methodology
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Mahimi emphasized the thematic and structural coherence (nazm) of the Qur'an, explaining how verses within each surah connect to form a unified message.[5] He extended this method even to the Bismillah and the disjointed letters (Huruf al-Muqatta'at), interpreting them in relation to the themes of their respective chapters. However, his approach mainly focused on the internal unity of individual surahs rather than on the overall structure of the Qur'an.[6]
His tafsir maintains a close link between text and meaning, ensuring a natural flow of interpretation where understanding emerges directly from the Qur'anic wording. In each surah, he records the reported names, explores their meanings, and identifies a central theme (maqsad) around which the verses are organized. Mahimi also presents a contextual interpretation of the Bismillah at the beginning of every surah.[7]
When verses appear to recur, he provides distinct explanations to highlight their contextual purpose. His treatment of the disjointed letters likewise connects them to the thematic content of the surahs rather than treating them as isolated symbols.[6]
Stylistically, Mahimi avoids the lengthy grammatical and rhetorical debates found in earlier commentaries. He prioritizes thematic meaning and spiritual reflection, using hadith, historical reports, and philosophical insights only when relevant. Qur'anic stories are narrated briefly and emphasize their moral and spiritual lessons.[6]
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External links
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