The tafsīr of al-Qurṭubī is perhaps one of the most compendious of them all and is certainly among the most famous. As its title, al-Jāmi‘ li Aḥkām al-Qur’ān – The General Judgments of the Qur’an, suggests, its main focus is on the rulings and judgments to be found in the Qur’ān. However, in the course of doing that, al-Qurṭubī examines all the relevant sciences necessary, such as the ḥadīth pertaining to the āyahs, events in the sīrah, what the Companions, their Followers and other noted people of knowledge said about the āyahs, essential aspects of Arabic etymology, syntax and usage, copiously illustrated by examples, and much more.
This volume covers the commentary on Sūrat al-Anfāl, including the events of the first battle of Islam, the Battle of Badr and the topic arising from it, the division of the spoils of battle which alone were permitted to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, among the Messengers, and which receives extensive treatment. It then proceeds to Sūrat at-Tawbah, among whose most important themes are the rulings concerning the collection and distribution of zakāt, and the last expedition of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, against Rūm, which prefigured the work of the caliphs in their jihād against Rūm and the Persians. That is followed by Sūrah Yūnus about the Prophet Yūnus who was sent to “a hundred thousand or more” who believed and affirmed, one of the most substantial events of its kind in history before our Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the people of Madinah.
