Al-Qurtubi
Encyclopedia
Imam Abu 'Abdullah Al-Qurtubi or Abu 'Abdullah Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Abu Bakr al-Ansari al-Qurtubi was a famous mufassir
, muhaddith and faqih
scholar from Cordoba of maliki
origin. He is most famous for his commentary of the Quran, Tafsir al-Qurtubi
.
in the 13th century. His father was a farmer, and died during a Spanish attack in 1230. During his youth, he contributed to his family by carrying clay for use in potteries. His finished his education in Cordoba, studying from renowned scholars ibn Ebu Hucce and Abdurrahman ibn Ahmet Al-Ashari. After Cordoba’s capture in 1236 by King Fernando I
, he left for Alexandria
, where he studied hadith
and tafsir
. He then passed to Cairo, and settled in Munya Abi'l-Khusavb where he spent the rest of his life. Known for his modesty and humble lifestyle, he was buried in Munya Abi'l-Khusavb, Egypt
in 1273. His grave was carried to a mosque where a mausoleum was built under his name in 1971, still open for visiting today.
, narrative
, recitation
and law; clearly evident in his writings, and the depth of his scholarship has been recognized by many scholars. In his works, Qurtubi defended the Sunni point of view, criticizing mutazilah, imamiyya, rafiziyya
and kerramiyya sects frequently. Albeit being of Maliki
origin, a very common school in north africa and spain, he has rejected bigotry and does not accept imitation as a method. Although not strictly against the Sufi sect, he has pointed out superstitions associated with Sufism in his works. He has clearly and openly criticized government officials, pointing out their errors, their tendency towards corruption and their damaging actions to religion for personal desire.
He is particularly cited in support of the reality of possession
by Jinn
and the Devil (Shaitan). Commenting on the Qur'an (al-Baqara
, verse 275), he wrote:
Tafsir
Tafseer is the Arabic word for exegesis or commentary, usually of the Qur'an. Ta'wīl is a subset of tafsir and refers to esoteric or mystical interpretation. An author of tafsir is a mufassir .- Etymology :...
, muhaddith and faqih
Faqih
A Faqīh is an expert in fiqh, or, Islamic jurisprudence.A faqih is an expert in Islamic Law, and, as such, the word Faqih can literally be generally translated as Jurist.- The definition of Fiqh and its relation to the Faqih:...
scholar from Cordoba of maliki
Maliki
The ' madhhab is one of the schools of Fiqh or religious law within Sunni Islam. It is the second-largest of the four schools, followed by approximately 25% of Muslims, mostly in North Africa, West Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and in some parts of Saudi Arabia...
origin. He is most famous for his commentary of the Quran, Tafsir al-Qurtubi
Tafsir al-Qurtubi
Tafsir al-Qurtubi is a famous Qur'an exegesis by the famous classical scholar Al-Qurtubi d.671H....
.
Biography
He was born in Córdoba, SpainCórdoba, Spain
-History:The first trace of human presence in the area are remains of a Neanderthal Man, dating to c. 32,000 BC. In the 8th century BC, during the ancient Tartessos period, a pre-urban settlement existed. The population gradually learned copper and silver metallurgy...
in the 13th century. His father was a farmer, and died during a Spanish attack in 1230. During his youth, he contributed to his family by carrying clay for use in potteries. His finished his education in Cordoba, studying from renowned scholars ibn Ebu Hucce and Abdurrahman ibn Ahmet Al-Ashari. After Cordoba’s capture in 1236 by King Fernando I
Tafsir al-Qurtubi
Tafsir al-Qurtubi is a famous Qur'an exegesis by the famous classical scholar Al-Qurtubi d.671H....
, he left for Alexandria
Tafsir al-Qurtubi
Tafsir al-Qurtubi is a famous Qur'an exegesis by the famous classical scholar Al-Qurtubi d.671H....
, where he studied hadith
Hadith
The term Hadīth is used to denote a saying or an act or tacit approval or criticism ascribed either validly or invalidly to the Islamic prophet Muhammad....
and tafsir
Tafsir
Tafseer is the Arabic word for exegesis or commentary, usually of the Qur'an. Ta'wīl is a subset of tafsir and refers to esoteric or mystical interpretation. An author of tafsir is a mufassir .- Etymology :...
. He then passed to Cairo, and settled in Munya Abi'l-Khusavb where he spent the rest of his life. Known for his modesty and humble lifestyle, he was buried in Munya Abi'l-Khusavb, Egypt
Tafsir
Tafseer is the Arabic word for exegesis or commentary, usually of the Qur'an. Ta'wīl is a subset of tafsir and refers to esoteric or mystical interpretation. An author of tafsir is a mufassir .- Etymology :...
in 1273. His grave was carried to a mosque where a mausoleum was built under his name in 1971, still open for visiting today.
Views
He was very skilled in commentaryTafsir
Tafseer is the Arabic word for exegesis or commentary, usually of the Qur'an. Ta'wīl is a subset of tafsir and refers to esoteric or mystical interpretation. An author of tafsir is a mufassir .- Etymology :...
, narrative
Hadith
The term Hadīth is used to denote a saying or an act or tacit approval or criticism ascribed either validly or invalidly to the Islamic prophet Muhammad....
, recitation
Qira'at
In Islam, Qira'at, which means literally the readings, terminologically means the method of recitation. Traditionally, there are 10 recognised schools of qira'at, and each one derives its name from a famous reader of Qur'an recitation....
and law; clearly evident in his writings, and the depth of his scholarship has been recognized by many scholars. In his works, Qurtubi defended the Sunni point of view, criticizing mutazilah, imamiyya, rafiziyya
Rafidia
Rafidia or Rafidiya is a neighborhood in the western part of the Palestinian city of Nablus. It was a separate village until it was merged into the municipality in 1966. There are currently three Palestinian Christian families and a Muslim one, although Christians number only over 700...
and kerramiyya sects frequently. Albeit being of Maliki
Maliki
The ' madhhab is one of the schools of Fiqh or religious law within Sunni Islam. It is the second-largest of the four schools, followed by approximately 25% of Muslims, mostly in North Africa, West Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and in some parts of Saudi Arabia...
origin, a very common school in north africa and spain, he has rejected bigotry and does not accept imitation as a method. Although not strictly against the Sufi sect, he has pointed out superstitions associated with Sufism in his works. He has clearly and openly criticized government officials, pointing out their errors, their tendency towards corruption and their damaging actions to religion for personal desire.
He is particularly cited in support of the reality of possession
Spiritual possession
Spirit possession is a paranormal or supernatural event in which it is said that spirits, gods, demons, animas, extraterrestrials, or other disincarnate or extraterrestrial entities take control of a human body, resulting in noticeable changes in health and behaviour...
by Jinn
Genie
Jinn or genies are supernatural creatures in Arab folklore and Islamic teachings that occupy a parallel world to that of mankind. Together, jinn, humans and angels make up the three sentient creations of Allah. Religious sources say barely anything about them; however, the Qur'an mentions that...
and the Devil (Shaitan). Commenting on the Qur'an (al-Baqara
Al-Baqara
Sura al-Baqarah is the second and longest chapter of the Qur'an. It is a Medinan sura and comprises 286 verses, including the single longest verse in the Qur'an...
, verse 275), he wrote:
- This verse contains proof against those who deny the possession by way of Jinn, claiming that it is a result of natural causes, as well as those who claim that Shaitan does not enter humans nor does he touch them.
Works
- Tafsir al-QurtubiTafsir al-QurtubiTafsir al-Qurtubi is a famous Qur'an exegesis by the famous classical scholar Al-Qurtubi d.671H....
: the most important and famous of his works, this 20 volume commentary has raised great interest albeit its volume, and has had many editions. Contrary to what its name implies, the commentary is not limited to verses dealing with legal issues, but is a general interpretation of the whole of Quran with a Maliki point of view. Any claims made about a verse are stated and thoroughly investigated. - Al-Esna fi Sherh al-asma al-Husna
- Kitab-üt-Tezkar fi Efdal-il-Ezkar
- Kitabü Şerh-it-Tekassi
- Kitabü Kam-il-Hırs biz-Zühdi vel-Kanaati
- Et-Takrib li Kitab-it-Temhid