The enjoyable benefits of the four interpretations Ibn Kathir, Al-Baghawi, Ibn Abi Hatim, and Abu Hayyan

Collected by Dr. Muhammad bin Saeed Al-Qahtani Introduction: Praise be to Allah, who taught by the pen, taught man what he did not know, and prayers and peace be upon the Prophet of mercy and guidance, whom Allah sent to guide humanity and bring it out from the darkness of shirk and paganism to the light of Islam and worship of the One and Only, who did not beget nor was He begotten, and there is none comparable to Him. So Allah guided through this great Prophet this nation, which was the best nation brought forth for mankind. May Allah's prayers, peace, and blessings be upon the illiterate Prophet Muhammad bin Abdullah, his family, his companions, and those who follow him, and follow his guidance until the Day of Judgment. As for: The knowledge of Allah’s intent in His Book is the noblest of sciences absolutely, and our righteous predecessors realized this truth, so they exerted their effort, time, and spent their lives in pursuing the interpretation and clarification of this great Quran. They produced valuable books concerned with interpreting the Quran and its meanings, so no one has an excuse in knowing the interpretation of this Book except what Allah has reserved for His knowledge. Therefore, it is obligatory upon every believer to work with the clear (mutashabih) and believe in the allegorical (mutashabih), and to submit to what Allah, the Most High, wishes, for the bridge of Islam does not stand except on the foot of submission. And from Allah’s success and favor upon me, He prepared for me the reading of four of the greatest interpretations of the Glorious Quran: the interpretation of Imam Ibn Kathir, the interpretation of Imam Al-Baghawi, the interpretation of Imam Ibn Abi Hatim, and the interpretation of Abu Hayyan. I have recorded the scattered benefits and insights during this reading, and I loved to present them to people in this concise beneficial work, which I named: [Enjoyable Benefits from the Four Interpretations]. As for the first three interpretations: they are from the interpretation by narration (Tafsir bil-Ma'thur). There is no doubt that the interpretation of Imam Abi Fadhl Ismail bin Omar bin Kathir Al-Qurashi, the Damascene, who died in 774 AH, called "Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azeem," is the most authentic and comprehensive. As Imam Al-Shawkani said in his book "Al-Badr Al-Tali" (15/3). The editions of this Tafsir are many, and I relied on the edition published by Dar Al-Jawzi in 1431 AH, edited by Dr. Hikmat bin Bashir Yasin, and this edition is in seven volumes. As for the interpretation of Imam Al-Baghawi, called "M'amar Al-Tanzeel" by Imam Muhyi Abu Muhammad Al-Hussein bin Mas'ood Al-Baghawi, who died in 516 AH, I relied on the verified edition published by Dar Tiba in 1409 AH, edited by Professors Muhammad Al-Nimr, Othman Dhamiriyah, and Suleiman Al-Harsh. This edition is in eight volumes. As for the interpretation of Imam Ibn Abi Hatim, called "Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azeem" supported by the Messenger, the Companions, and the Tabi'in, by Imam Al-Hafiz Abi Muhammad Abdul Rahman bin Abi Hatim Al-Razi, who died in 327 AH, I relied on the wonderful edition published by Dar Ibn Al-Jawzi in 1439 AH. This interpretation has been used for scientific research at Umm Al-Qura University, some for master's degrees and others for doctoral degrees. A distinguished group of students of knowledge served this interpretation, though it contains significant deficiencies. This edition was published in sixteen excellent volumes. The fourth interpretation is "Al-Bahr Al-Muhit" in the interpretation of the Great Quran by Abu Hayyan Muhammad bin Yusuf bin Ali Al-Andalusi, who died in 745 AH, edited by Dr. Abdullah bin Abdul Mohsin Al-Turki. It is in 27 volumes. Its author is Ash'ari in creed, well-versed in language, grammar, and recitations, and I have extracted some benefits from it in this brief. I warn the dear reader that any Hadith, narration, or phrase that confuses you during reading; all you need to do is review the part and page referenced where the confusion appears. The scholars who verified these four interpretations have exerted great effort—may Allah reward them well—in serving these interpretations. Sometimes I refer to the grade of the Hadith if necessary. One of the benefits of mentioning these scattered benefits and insights is to review the interpretation of the Holy Quran, understand the meanings indicated by the noble verses, and take lessons and morals from what we read in this great book. I ask Allah, the Generous, Lord of the Mighty Throne, to accept this work from me sincerely for His Face, and I ask Him to benefit everyone who reads and reviews it. And Allah is the Guide to the straight path. Written by the poor servant, by His forgiveness and mercy, Muhammad bin Saeed Al-Qahtani, Mecca, may Allah protect and preserve it. Published on Tuesday, 18th of Safar, 1442 AH