Tafsir al-Samarqandi
Baḥr al-ʿUlūm, commonly known as Tafsir al-Samarqandi authored by 10th-century Sunni scholar Abū al-Layth al-Samarqandī. It stands as one of the earliest comprehensive Qurʾānic commentaries, and is regarded as one of the “maṣādir” in tafsīr. It is classified as tafsīr bi-l-maʾthūr, drawing from the Qur'an, hadith, sayings of the Companions, and the Followers. In this tafsīr, al-Samarqandī combines linguistic, juristic, and theological analysis with moral and spiritual reflection, making it a rich resource for both scholars and students. He rarely cites weak reports, and when he does, he mentions them cautiously.
Name
The title Baḥr al-ʿUlūm was not the original title given by the author himself, but became the conventional name in later generations. The more likely original title was simply Tafsīr al-Qur'ān, or Tafsīr al-Qur'ān al-ʿAẓīm, or Tafsīr Abī al-Layth. However, the most widely used title now is Tafsir al-Samarqandi.Methodology
Imām Abū al-Layth al-Samarqandī's work entitled Tafsīr al-Samarqandī presents a careful and methodical approach to the Qurʾānic verses of rulings. His commentary draws on a wide range of sources, including the Qurʾān itself, Prophetic traditions, the sayings of the Companions and Successors, variant readings, and linguistic and legal evidence. While his tafsīr is primarily rooted in the transmitted tradition, he does not rely on narration alone. Al-Samarqandī also employs rational and legal reasoning where necessary, offering critical observations on transmitted reports to clarify meanings and resolve difficulties. This balance between transmission and reflection gives his work both authenticity and analytical depth.Abū al-Layth al-Samarqandī drew upon the linguistic heritage of early philologists such as Abū ʿUbaydah Maʿmar ibn al-Muthannā, whose influence is evident in his attention to the eloquence and structure of Qurʾānic expression. His tafsīr gives particular emphasis to the reasons for revelation, the differences in Qurʾānic recitation, and the discussions of abrogation, reflecting a comprehensive awareness of the interpretive sciences. Alongside his reliance on transmitted material, al-Samarqandī includes narrative accounts, among them the Isrāʾīliyyāt, to expand upon prophetic stories and historical contexts. Moreover, his commentary occasionally reveals a spiritual and reflective dimension, making him one of the early figures whose exegetical style anticipates the later development of Sufi interpretation. The tafsir addresses theological matters, questions of creed, the principles of belief, and the pillars of Islam, while also examining legal issues and differing scholarly opinions.
Editions
The book became very famous and circulated widely, preserved in multiple manuscripts. Some modern editions and studies include:- First printed edition: by the College of Sharīʿa, University of Baghdad, published by Maktabat al-Irshād, Baghdad, first edition, 1391 AH / 1971 CE, in three volumes.
- Later critical editions and theses were also prepared, in multiple volumes.