Books by Sohaib Saeed
Sample (Contents, Foreword & Introductions) from Dr Sohaib Saeed's translation of the first volum... more Sample (Contents, Foreword & Introductions) from Dr Sohaib Saeed's translation of the first volume from Razi's Tafsir (published September 2018).
The Great Exegesis by Fakhr al-Dīn al-Razi (d. 1210), also known as Mafatih al-Ghayb, is one of the great classics of Arabic and Islamic scholarship. Written in the twelfth century, this commentary on the Qur’an has remained until today an indispensable reference work. The Great Exegesis is a compendium not only of Qur’anic sciences and meanings, but also Arabic linguistics, comparative jurisprudence, Aristotelian and Islamic philosophy, dialectic theology and the spirituality of Sufism.
The present volume is the first ever translation into English from The Great Exegesis and focuses on the first chapter of the Qur’an, the Fatiha. This scholarly yet accessible translation gives readers a thorough understanding of the most commonly recited chapter of the Qur’an; it also opens up for readers a window into the thought and practice of one of Islam’s greatest theologians. This volume includes a foreword by Professor M.A.S. Abdel Haleem, King Fahd Professor of Islamic Studies, University of London.
ENDORSEMENTS:
‘Razi’s Tafsir is a monument to Islam’s great tradition of learning and an incredibly rich pathway into it. Making it accessible to an English-speaking audience, by a translator who is a scholar himself, is a great contribution that will be appreciated by many for many years to come.’
Prof. Jonathan AC Brown, Georgetown University, USA.
‘Dr. Sohaib Saeed offers us a meticulous and readable translation of a masterpiece of Qur’anic exegesis by the great Muslim intellectual Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, whose goal was to illuminate every possible shade of meaning of the Muslim Revelation, from moral-ethical and legal, to rational and allegorical-mystical, not to mention linguistic, grammatical and historical. A must-read for every serious student and connoisseur of the Qur’an.’
Prof. Alexander Knysh, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
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Thesis Chapters by Sohaib Saeed
Download full thesis open access: https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/30286/
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Papers by Sohaib Saeed
Journal of Qur'anic Studies, 2022
Does Q. 2:178 legislate retaliation for murder? Was Abraham commanded to chop up some birds accor... more Does Q. 2:178 legislate retaliation for murder? Was Abraham commanded to chop up some birds according to Q. 2:260? This paper examines two cases in which a dominant view in Muslim exegesis has existed alongside an alternative that is minimised or criticised, while arguably being a closer fit to the text and context of the verse. The first, a ‘historicist’ reading of the qiṣāṣ verse (Q. 2:178), was picked up and advocated by the influential Ibn Taymiyya (d. 728/1328), yet it has even less of a footprint in exegetical works subsequent to him. The second, a ‘naturalist’ reading of the birds verse (Q. 2:260) advanced by Abū Muslim al-Iṣfahānī (d. 322/934), has been adopted by some modern exegetes and translators, but largely dismissed as strained and contrary to consensus. As well as charting the reception of these competing views, I analyse them comparatively, phrase by phrase, and argue that these alternatives are more plausible, and indeed fruitful, than the commonly accepted interpretations. The juxtaposition of these cases invites closer examination of key hermeneutical concepts in the tafsīr tradition.
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Osmanlı’da İlm-i Tefsir, ed. M. Taha Boyalık & Harun Abacı (Istanbul: İSAR Publications), 2019
The eminent Baghdadi scholar Mahmud al-Alusi (1802–1854) is best known for producing a voluminous... more The eminent Baghdadi scholar Mahmud al-Alusi (1802–1854) is best known for producing a voluminous Qur’an commentary which has influenced subsequent works in the Islamic East and West. While connected firmly to the exegetical tradition and particularly his Ottoman predecessor Ebu's-su'ud Efendi (1490–1574), al-Alusi’s Ruh al-Ma’ani represents a landmark in terms of its composition which has not yet met its match in print. The work presents his own exegetical choices alongside a wide range of views on every question. As though to synthesise the whole hashiyah tradition, al-Alusi summarises the back-and-forth of complex debates, together with his own judgments and critiques. This is complemented by spiritual reflections representing an alternative approach to reading the Qur’an.
These features make Ruh al-Ma’ani an ideal case study of the multifaceted nature of tafsir authorship and the challenges of navigating the exegetical corpus. Therefore, this paper posits an intriguing scenario: what if al-Alusi were to compose this work today, with the latest digital tools at his disposal? How could the materials he wishes to include be analysed and presented even better than the longitudinal book format allowed him in reality? This question allows us to consider new typologies of tafsir material and how these can be optimised for contemporary students of the Qur’an and the exegetical tradition. As well as proposing methods of categorising and presenting tafsir questions and diverse opinions, we imagine how our modern-day al-Alusi could utilise translation to make his commentary both clearer and more open to the world.
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Journal of Qur’anic Studies, 2019
In 1997, the distinguished linguistics professor ʿAbd al-Ṣabūr Shāhīn of Cairo University publis... more In 1997, the distinguished linguistics professor ʿAbd al-Ṣabūr Shāhīn of Cairo University published his re-reading of the Qur’anic story of creation, entitled Abī Ādam (‘My Father Adam’). Although the book was met with a storm of refutations, televised debates and a blasphemy charge against the author, the Islamic Research Council of Al-Azhar University concluded that the book was flawed but not blasphemous. This paper sheds light on Shāhīn’s key strategies in arguing for an evolutionary reading of the Qur’an, in which Adam was the first full human (insān) endowed with divine spirit, but born on earth to hominid parents (bashar). Responses by two other linguistics scholars, ʿAbd al-ʿAẓīm Ibrāhīm al-Maṭʿanī of Al-Azhar and Ḥamza b. Qublān al-Muzaynī of King Saud University, illustrate the contemporary underdevelopment of Qur’anic hermeneutics (uṣūl al-tafsīr) as a discipline. The paper draws attention to current scholarly developments in the Muslim world and the move from refutations of individual projects, to constructive accounts based on tradition.
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Insights, vol. 3, nos. 2-3
Sufism – or Taṣawwuf – continues to be a highly influential reality in Muslim societies, yet also... more Sufism – or Taṣawwuf – continues to be a highly influential reality in Muslim societies, yet also a controversial topic in some quarters. While contemporary Sufism has its passionate supporters, on the other side of the spectrum there are strident critics. This paper presents writings from two senior scholars from al-Azhar University – both inside and outside the Sufi milieu – who seek to chart a middle way, a balanced approach that affirms the significance of Sufi heritage to individual and collective spirituality, yet recognises the importance of constructive critique. In a time of tumultuous change in parts of the Muslim world, Sufis and Sufism may have a significant role to play, and this reform of society requires – as these scholars describe – inner reforms guided by the Islamic sources. In turn, this programme must draw upon Islam’s scholarly heritage as expounded by historic and trusted institutions such as al-Azhar.
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Conference Presentations by Sohaib Saeed
As a late Meccan surah which incorporates a wide range of themes, al-An‘am (Q 6) is a useful case... more As a late Meccan surah which incorporates a wide range of themes, al-An‘am (Q 6) is a useful case study of interactions within the qur’anic text: both diachronically—such that its verses may refer back to earlier ones, or be explained or modified by later ones—or synchronically, as is often the case in tafsir works. Muslim exegetes have long made use of the principle that ‘the Qur’an explains itself’, which—if we adopt the same expression of agency—means that al-An‘am is both a mufassir (active) of various Meccan passages and mufassar (passive) by Medinan ones. This paper is based on a thorough study of the whole surah through the eyes of exegetes who gave explicit focus and priority to the intratextual principle: tafsir al-Qur’an bi’l-Qur’an. Beyond their citations of other Quranic passages as thematic parallels, or as evidence for a theological or juristic point, we pay special attention to the aspects of textual interaction which have a bearing on chronology. These include claims of abrogation concerning ten of its verses, half of which are said to have been cancelled by the ‘Sword Verse’. There are two verses in other surahs which appear to reference verses in al-An‘am; and one verse of al-An‘am makes explicit allusion to an earlier passage. Based on this, we consider the possibility of a mutually referential relationship between al-An‘am and al-Nahl (Q 16). Moreover, there appears to be a relationship with Luqman (Q 31) established by two hadith reports which cite verses from the latter as explanation. As well as questions of chronology, our treatment of the most famous example (in which zulm in 6:82 is explained by shirk in 31:13) appeals to internal aspects of al-An‘am to question the common presentation of this citation and its significance.
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Scott Lucas has argued that “the Anglophone world would benefit far more from the partial or comp... more Scott Lucas has argued that “the Anglophone world would benefit far more from the partial or complete translation of Qur’anic commentaries than it would from yet another translation of the Qur’an itself.” Without doubt, classical Arabic commentaries have exerted considerable influence on the understanding and interpretation of the Qurʾān, although the extent to which translators have relied upon them has sometimes been overstated. Translation of classical and modern tafsir would provide rich materials for researchers as
well as Muslims seeking knowledge of scripture. Yet there are immense challenges facing any translation project, not least the voluminosity of these works and their preoccupation with linguistics. Consequently, there are few complete tafsirs in the English language and recent efforts have been directed to esoteric commentaries as well as thematic syntheses. In this paper, the author will reflect on his experiences in translating classical Arabic works in order to identify strategies and best practices for future tafsir projects in English.
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The 2009 publication of Dr. Yūsuf al-Qaraḍāwī’s Fiqh al-Jihād was met with great interest due bot... more The 2009 publication of Dr. Yūsuf al-Qaraḍāwī’s Fiqh al-Jihād was met with great interest due both to the reputation of its author and to its stated goal to renew juristic and popular discourse surrounding the topic of jihād in accordance with his wasaṭī (centrist) methodology. The author is credited – in the course of his prolific career – of prompting revisions in extremists’ ideology; thus, even before the restrictions on his presence in Egypt were lifted by the 2011 revolution, the Awqāf Ministry announced that Fiqh al-Jihād would be incorporated into training materials for imams. Having published several works specifically on the Qur’ān, Al-Qaraḍāwī described his methodology in Fiqh al-Jihād as “depending primarily upon the Qur’ān”. As well as responding to specific claims made by either Muslims or non-Muslims about violence in Islam, he addresses broader interpretative methods including “exaggeration” in the matter of abrogation. This paper analyses Al-
Qaraḍāwī’s approach and conclusions concerning the Qur’ān and its ethics of war and peace, and how it is misread by those who promote violent interpretations.
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Teaching & Assessment by Sohaib Saeed
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Drafts by Sohaib Saeed
The Handbook of Qur’ānic Hermeneutics, 2023
This is a draft of a chapter to appear in The Handbook of Qur’ānic Hermeneutics, edited by George... more This is a draft of a chapter to appear in The Handbook of Qur’ānic Hermeneutics, edited by Georges Tamer (De Gruyter, forthcoming). Please cite the published version.
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This analysis will form the basis for a comparative article on this translation and the much-impr... more This analysis will form the basis for a comparative article on this translation and the much-improved one by A.F.L. Beeston.
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Books by Sohaib Saeed
The Great Exegesis by Fakhr al-Dīn al-Razi (d. 1210), also known as Mafatih al-Ghayb, is one of the great classics of Arabic and Islamic scholarship. Written in the twelfth century, this commentary on the Qur’an has remained until today an indispensable reference work. The Great Exegesis is a compendium not only of Qur’anic sciences and meanings, but also Arabic linguistics, comparative jurisprudence, Aristotelian and Islamic philosophy, dialectic theology and the spirituality of Sufism.
The present volume is the first ever translation into English from The Great Exegesis and focuses on the first chapter of the Qur’an, the Fatiha. This scholarly yet accessible translation gives readers a thorough understanding of the most commonly recited chapter of the Qur’an; it also opens up for readers a window into the thought and practice of one of Islam’s greatest theologians. This volume includes a foreword by Professor M.A.S. Abdel Haleem, King Fahd Professor of Islamic Studies, University of London.
ENDORSEMENTS:
‘Razi’s Tafsir is a monument to Islam’s great tradition of learning and an incredibly rich pathway into it. Making it accessible to an English-speaking audience, by a translator who is a scholar himself, is a great contribution that will be appreciated by many for many years to come.’
Prof. Jonathan AC Brown, Georgetown University, USA.
‘Dr. Sohaib Saeed offers us a meticulous and readable translation of a masterpiece of Qur’anic exegesis by the great Muslim intellectual Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, whose goal was to illuminate every possible shade of meaning of the Muslim Revelation, from moral-ethical and legal, to rational and allegorical-mystical, not to mention linguistic, grammatical and historical. A must-read for every serious student and connoisseur of the Qur’an.’
Prof. Alexander Knysh, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
Thesis Chapters by Sohaib Saeed
Papers by Sohaib Saeed
These features make Ruh al-Ma’ani an ideal case study of the multifaceted nature of tafsir authorship and the challenges of navigating the exegetical corpus. Therefore, this paper posits an intriguing scenario: what if al-Alusi were to compose this work today, with the latest digital tools at his disposal? How could the materials he wishes to include be analysed and presented even better than the longitudinal book format allowed him in reality? This question allows us to consider new typologies of tafsir material and how these can be optimised for contemporary students of the Qur’an and the exegetical tradition. As well as proposing methods of categorising and presenting tafsir questions and diverse opinions, we imagine how our modern-day al-Alusi could utilise translation to make his commentary both clearer and more open to the world.
Conference Presentations by Sohaib Saeed
Listen here from 38:00:
https://soundcloud.com/soas-university-of-london/tafsir-the-quran-text-translation-and-culture-2018
well as Muslims seeking knowledge of scripture. Yet there are immense challenges facing any translation project, not least the voluminosity of these works and their preoccupation with linguistics. Consequently, there are few complete tafsirs in the English language and recent efforts have been directed to esoteric commentaries as well as thematic syntheses. In this paper, the author will reflect on his experiences in translating classical Arabic works in order to identify strategies and best practices for future tafsir projects in English.
Qaraḍāwī’s approach and conclusions concerning the Qur’ān and its ethics of war and peace, and how it is misread by those who promote violent interpretations.
Teaching & Assessment by Sohaib Saeed
Drafts by Sohaib Saeed
The Great Exegesis by Fakhr al-Dīn al-Razi (d. 1210), also known as Mafatih al-Ghayb, is one of the great classics of Arabic and Islamic scholarship. Written in the twelfth century, this commentary on the Qur’an has remained until today an indispensable reference work. The Great Exegesis is a compendium not only of Qur’anic sciences and meanings, but also Arabic linguistics, comparative jurisprudence, Aristotelian and Islamic philosophy, dialectic theology and the spirituality of Sufism.
The present volume is the first ever translation into English from The Great Exegesis and focuses on the first chapter of the Qur’an, the Fatiha. This scholarly yet accessible translation gives readers a thorough understanding of the most commonly recited chapter of the Qur’an; it also opens up for readers a window into the thought and practice of one of Islam’s greatest theologians. This volume includes a foreword by Professor M.A.S. Abdel Haleem, King Fahd Professor of Islamic Studies, University of London.
ENDORSEMENTS:
‘Razi’s Tafsir is a monument to Islam’s great tradition of learning and an incredibly rich pathway into it. Making it accessible to an English-speaking audience, by a translator who is a scholar himself, is a great contribution that will be appreciated by many for many years to come.’
Prof. Jonathan AC Brown, Georgetown University, USA.
‘Dr. Sohaib Saeed offers us a meticulous and readable translation of a masterpiece of Qur’anic exegesis by the great Muslim intellectual Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, whose goal was to illuminate every possible shade of meaning of the Muslim Revelation, from moral-ethical and legal, to rational and allegorical-mystical, not to mention linguistic, grammatical and historical. A must-read for every serious student and connoisseur of the Qur’an.’
Prof. Alexander Knysh, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
These features make Ruh al-Ma’ani an ideal case study of the multifaceted nature of tafsir authorship and the challenges of navigating the exegetical corpus. Therefore, this paper posits an intriguing scenario: what if al-Alusi were to compose this work today, with the latest digital tools at his disposal? How could the materials he wishes to include be analysed and presented even better than the longitudinal book format allowed him in reality? This question allows us to consider new typologies of tafsir material and how these can be optimised for contemporary students of the Qur’an and the exegetical tradition. As well as proposing methods of categorising and presenting tafsir questions and diverse opinions, we imagine how our modern-day al-Alusi could utilise translation to make his commentary both clearer and more open to the world.
Listen here from 38:00:
https://soundcloud.com/soas-university-of-london/tafsir-the-quran-text-translation-and-culture-2018
well as Muslims seeking knowledge of scripture. Yet there are immense challenges facing any translation project, not least the voluminosity of these works and their preoccupation with linguistics. Consequently, there are few complete tafsirs in the English language and recent efforts have been directed to esoteric commentaries as well as thematic syntheses. In this paper, the author will reflect on his experiences in translating classical Arabic works in order to identify strategies and best practices for future tafsir projects in English.
Qaraḍāwī’s approach and conclusions concerning the Qur’ān and its ethics of war and peace, and how it is misread by those who promote violent interpretations.