Tafsir of the Qur'an by the Statements of the Companions.

The Shaykh : The third rank in tafsir is that we refer to the tafsir of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). The books of tafsir that focus on athar, such as the tafsir of Ibn Jarir and Ibn Kathir and others, are full of this. But if the opinions of the Companions differ regarding the interpretation of a verse from the Book of Allah, whose statement do we follow? We refer to the one who is more knowledgeable about the Book of Allah. There is no doubt that the Rightly Guided Caliphs are the most knowledgeable of the Companions regarding the interpretation of the Book of Allah, Mighty and Majestic. They are followed by those known for their care in interpreting the Book of Allah, provided there is no evidence from the Qur'an or the Sunnah that favors the weaker opinion. If such evidence exists, there is no doubt that the correct opinion is with the one who has that evidence.