In the Procession of Da'wah [3 of 5]: Characteristics of Al-Sa'di's Tafsir

Question : The tafsir of Shaykh Abd al-Rahman al-Sa'di (may Allah have mercy on him), *Taysir al-Karim al-Rahman*, is one of the most prominent books, indeed one of the tafsirs that have received great acceptance among people, among students of knowledge, and among scholars. What are the most prominent characteristics of this tafsir, Honorable Shaykh Muhammad? And why, or what do you see as the reasons that led to this acceptance it has gained?

Answer : My brother, the matter of acceptance is from Allah the Exalted and Majestic. How many people have written, polished, and beautified their tafsirs, filling them with knowledge, yet they remain on the shelves? And how many people, far less than that, have works that are in people's pockets and in their hearts? This is from Allah the Exalted and Majestic, and there is no way for anyone to attain it except from Allah the Exalted and Majestic. As for what distinguishes this tafsir, it is a comprehensive tafsir. It is easy in style, and it is beneficial for the student of knowledge, the layperson, and the scholar. The most prominent feature in it is the derivation of rulings from some of the noble verses, to the extent that it does not derive many benefits from a single verse. There is no doubt that this trains students of knowledge in presence of mind and derivation. It is not hidden that if a person is gifted with the ability to derive rulings, he will delve deep into evidence and thereby acquire much knowledge. For this reason, when Abu Juhayfah asked Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him), "Did the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) write a book for you, specifically for you?"—and at that time, some people were spreading the rumor that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) had written a book for Ali regarding the caliphate—Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "He did not leave me with anything except understanding that Allah the Exalted grants to whom He wills from His Book, and what is in this paper: sound judgment, the release of captives, and that a Muslim not be killed for a disbeliever." The tafsir of our Shaykh (may Allah have mercy on him), I mean our Shaykh Abd al-Rahman al-Sa'di, is distinguished by this feature, which is deriving many benefits from verses from which you hardly find any other mufassir deriving what our Shaykh (may Allah have mercy on him) derived. Even if this may be found in the tafsir of al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him), it is not in the manner of our Shaykh. May Allah reward you, Honorable.