Distinctions and Characteristics of Exegetical Prefaces by ‘Allama Ghulām Rasool Sa‘eedi: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

The knowledge of Tafsīr (exegesis) is indeed the result of ‘pondering over its verses’ by some great scholarly men often known as Mufassir. The initial instances of tafsir can be traced back to the glorious era of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who used to read the verses to his companions and so on the knowledge has reached to our times. In sub-continent there are many scholars who have served in the field of ‘Uloom ul Qur’an. Allama Ghulām Rasool Sa‘eedi stands ahead among those intellectual par excellence who spent their entire life in the propagation of Islamic knowledge and departed this mundane world during the same blessed service. He authored a large number of books, which are comprehensive and far-famed. Exegesis of Ṣaḥiḥ Muslim, Tafsīr Tibyān ul Qur’ān, Ni’mat ul Bārī and Tafsīr Tibyān ul Furqān are the manifest evidence of his encyclopedic knowledge. This article deals with the various prefaces by Allama Saeedi  written for exegesis of the Holy Qur’ān. The primary subject of the article is to highlight the structure, pattern, comprehensiveness and literary significance of these prefaces. Besides, it is also intended to present a model for the new authors. The article also brings forth the distinct feature of writing a preface especially for an exegesis. Hence, where his services in Hadith and Tafsir are remarkable, his associated writings are also worth and a masterpiece of Quranic Exegesis in the contemporary world.