What is tafsir?
Tafsir is the explanation of the Quran — the meaning of its words, the circumstances in which verses were revealed (asbab al-nuzul), and the beliefs, rulings and lessons they contain. Reading a translation alone gives the outline of a verse; tafsir shows how the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions understood it and how it applies to a Muslim's life.
Tafsir according to the understanding of the Salaf
Every tafsir on this site is by scholars of the Salafi (Athari / Ahl al-Hadith) methodology, which follows the way of the Salaf — the Companions, their students and the early imams — in understanding the Quran. In practice this means:
- The Quran explained by the Quran — one verse clarifying another.
- The Quran explained by the authentic Sunnah — the Prophet ﷺ was sent to explain the Book, so his authentic hadith come before any opinion.
- The understanding of the Companions and Tabi'un, who witnessed the revelation and learned directly from it.
- Allah's names and attributes affirmed as they came, without distorting, denying, likening them to creation or asking how.
- No Isra'iliyyat or baseless reports — stories without an authentic source are left out or pointed out.
The English tafsirs available
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim
A four-volume commentary by the Ahl al-Hadith scholar and Shaykh al-Hadith Hafiz Abdus Salam Bhutvi, the fruit of more than 45 years of teaching. It explains the Quran through the Quran itself, authentic hadith and the statements of the Companions, and avoids Isra'iliyyat and unverified reports.
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan
A concise, reliable commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, written in clear language on the methodology of the Salaf. Its reliability is why the Saudi government has printed and distributed it to pilgrims visiting the Two Holy Mosques.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran
An accessible commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, written so that the ordinary reader can understand the Quran. It gives detailed historical background to the verses on battles and expeditions and answers modernist interpretations with clear evidence.
These tafsirs were originally written in Urdu and have been translated into English by Tohed. On any ayah page you can read all of them together, or open one tafsir on its own.
Translation and word-by-word meanings
Alongside the tafsir, each ayah shows the Arabic text, the English translation of Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali and Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan (The Noble Quran), and a word-by-word breakdown giving the English meaning of each Arabic word — a simple way to start understanding the Quran's language as you read.
Popular surahs and verses
- Surah Al-Fatihah — the Opening, recited in every prayer
- Ayat al-Kursi (2:255) — the greatest verse of the Quran
- The last two verses of Al-Baqarah (2:285–286)
- Surah Al-Kahf — recommended on Fridays
- Surah Ya-Sin
- Surah Ar-Rahman
- Surah Al-Mulk
- Surah Al-Ikhlas — equal to a third of the Quran
How to read the tafsir
Pick a surah from the list above to open its first ayah, then move ayah by ayah with the next and previous buttons, or use the jump box to go straight to any surah and ayah. The Urdu edition on tohed.com has the original Urdu text of these tafsirs together with further Urdu tafsirs and translations.
Frequently asked questions
What is tafsir of the Quran?
Tafsir is the explanation of the Quran: what its words mean, the context in which verses were revealed, and the rulings and lessons they contain. The most reliable tafsir explains the Quran by the Quran, then by the authentic Sunnah, then by the statements of the Companions and their students.
Which tafsirs are available in English here?
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim, Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan and Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — three tafsirs by Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholars, each covering every ayah of the Quran, shown alongside the Arabic text and English translation.
Are these tafsirs according to the Salaf?
Yes. Every tafsir here was written by scholars of the Salafi/Athari methodology. They explain the Quran through the Quran, authentic hadith and the understanding of the Companions, affirm Allah's names and attributes as they came, and avoid Isra'iliyyat and baseless reports.
Which English translation of the Quran is used?
The translation of Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali and Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan (The Noble Quran), together with word-by-word English meanings of the Arabic.
Can I read the tafsir in Urdu?
Yes. The Urdu edition on tohed.com has these tafsirs in their original Urdu, along with more Urdu tafsirs and translations.
Is it free to read?
Yes. All 114 surahs, with translation, word-by-word meanings and tafsir, are free to read without an account.
