Allah, The almighty, says:(Here is) a Book which We have sent down unto thee, full of blessings, that they may meditate on its Signs, and that men of understanding may receive admonition.
Muslim scholars have laid down certain basic rules for sound tafsir. Any tafsir, which disregards these principles, must be viewed with great caution, if not rejected altogether. Nothing can excel the tafsir of the Qur'an by the Qur'an. Since its authenticity is granted by Allah Who says: We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption).
Tafsir has passed through different phases: Tafsir bi-l-ma'thoor (by transmission), also known as Tafsir bi-l-riwaya, language-oriented tafsir, Tafsir bi'l-ra'y (by opinion), and Tafsir aiming at manifesting some aspects of scientific inimitability in verses concerned with the universe. Other kinds of Tafsir also emerged as Tafsir Fiqhy, Tafsir bi-l-ishara (by indication, from signs), and many oth[5].
