Interpretation (Tafsir) of Quran (Islamic Study) MCQs

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman | Last updated: July 25, 2024

1. Who is qualified to perform Tafsir according to Islamic tradition? a) Only scholars with formal religious education
b) Anyone with a deep understanding of Arabic
c) Only prophets and messengers
d) It depends on the context and purpose

Answer: a) Only scholars with formal religious education

2. Which of the following is NOT a primary source used in Tafsir? a) The Quran itself
b) Hadith (Prophetic traditions)
c) Classical Arabic poetry
d) Linguistic analysis

Answer: c) Classical Arabic poetry

3. What is the purpose of Tafsir? a) To provide historical context
b) To extract legal rulings
c) To understand the intended meanings of Quranic verses
d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

4. Which of the following is an example of a classical Tafsir work? a) Sahih al-Bukhari
b) Sahih Muslim
c) Tafsir al-Jalalayn
d) Musnad Ahmad

Answer: c) Tafsir al-Jalalayn

5. What does “Tafsir bi’l-Ma’thur” mean? a) Tafsir based on the Quran and Sunnah
b) Tafsir based on linguistic analysis
c) Tafsir based on rational deduction
d) Tafsir based on personal opinion

Answer: a) Tafsir based on the Quran and Sunnah

6. Which Tafsir method focuses on the linguistic and grammatical aspects of the Quran? a) Tafsir bi’l-Ra’y
b) Tafsir bi’l-Ma’thur
c) Tafsir bi’l-Rijal
d) Tafsir bi’l-Ma’qul

Answer: d) Tafsir bi’l-Ma’qul

7. Who is known for compiling one of the most famous Sunni Tafsirs, known as “Tafsir al-Jalalayn”? a) Imam Abu Hanifa
b) Imam Malik ibn Anas
c) Imam al-Qurtubi
d) Jalal al-Din al-Mahalli and Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti

Answer: d) Jalal al-Din al-Mahalli and Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti

8. Which Tafsir method relies on the understanding of early scholars and companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)? a) Tafsir bi’l-Ra’y
b) Tafsir bi’l-Ma’thur
c) Tafsir bi’l-Rijal
d) Tafsir bi’l-Riwayah

Answer: d) Tafsir bi’l-Riwayah

9. What is the role of contextual analysis in Tafsir? a) To understand the historical circumstances of revelation
b) To extract legal rulings
c) To provide linguistic analysis
d) To interpret the Quran allegorically

Answer: a) To understand the historical circumstances of revelation

10. Which Tafsir method focuses on personal reasoning and interpretation? a) Tafsir bi’l-Ra’y
b) Tafsir bi’l-Ma’thur
c) Tafsir bi’l-Rijal
d) Tafsir bi’l-Ma’qul

Answer: a) Tafsir bi’l-Ra’y

11. What does the term “Tafsir al-Qur’an bi’l-Qur’an” refer to? a) Tafsir based on the Quran and Sunnah
b) Tafsir based on linguistic analysis
c) Tafsir based on using other Quranic verses to interpret a verse
d) Tafsir based on personal opinion

Answer: c) Tafsir based on using other Quranic verses to interpret a verse

12. Who is known for compiling the Tafsir known as “Tafsir al-Kashaf”? a) Imam al-Qurtubi
b) Imam al-Tabari
c) Imam al-Zamakhshari
d) Imam al-Razi

Answer: c) Imam al-Zamakhshari

13. Which Tafsir method focuses on the transmission and authenticity of narrations related to the Quranic verses? a) Tafsir bi’l-Ra’y
b) Tafsir bi’l-Ma’thur
c) Tafsir bi’l-Rijal
d) Tafsir bi’l-Ma’qul

Answer: c) Tafsir bi’l-Rijal

14. What is the significance of Tafsir in Islamic scholarship? a) It helps Muslims understand the Quran’s message and teachings.
b) It provides legal guidance for daily life.
c) It preserves the linguistic nuances of the Arabic language.
d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

15. Tafsir al-Jalalayn is a collaborative work between which two scholars? a) Imam al-Razi and Imam al-Tabari
b) Imam al-Qurtubi and Imam al-Zamakhshari
c) Jalal al-Din al-Mahalli and Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti
d) Imam al-Ghazali and Imam al-Shafi’i

Answer: c) Jalal al-Din al-Mahalli and Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti

16. What does “Tafsir bi’l-Ra’y” mean? a) Tafsir based on personal opinion
b) Tafsir based on linguistic analysis
c) Tafsir based on using other Quranic verses to interpret a verse
d) Tafsir based on the Quran and Sunnah

Answer: a) Tafsir based on personal opinion

17. Which Tafsir method focuses on the Quranic verses themselves without relying on external sources? a) Tafsir bi’l-Ra’y
b) Tafsir bi’l-Ma’thur
c) Tafsir bi’l-Rijal
d) Tafsir bi’l-Ma’qul

Answer: b) Tafsir bi’l-Ma’thur

18. Who is known for compiling the Tafsir known as “Tafsir Ibn Kathir”? a) Ibn Taymiyyah
b) Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani
c) Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya
d) Ibn Kathir

Answer: d) Ibn Kathir

19. Which Tafsir method focuses on using reason and intellect to interpret the Quran? a) Tafsir bi’l-Ra’y
b) Tafsir bi’l-Ma’thur
c) Tafsir bi’l-Rijal
d) Tafsir bi’l-Ma’qul

Answer: d) Tafsir bi’l-Ma’qul