About tafseers and hazrat dhul-kifl

1. At the outset, one should understand that every Tafseer that is in accordance to Shari'ah and in accordance to the Ahaadith, narrations of the Sahaaba (Radhiallaahu Anhum), and the pious predecessors is acceptable to us. However, the criteria for giving preference to one over the other is: a. The manner of presentation of a certain Mufassir in comparison to the other.
b. The inclination of the reader of that particular Tafseer that a certain Mufassir would make Tafseer, for example, predominantly with the laws of Nahw and Sarf towards which the reader is inclined to as in the case of Tafseer of Imaam Raazi (RA). This is in the same vein as to one's Ustaadhs (teacher) that a student, for example, prefer a certain Ustaadh over the other which is not something that is in conflict with the Shari'ah. However, Adab, respect and honour should be upheld for each Mufassir or teacher, etc. Besides the above two reasons, there could be other reasons as well and this all depends on the reader. To get more information on Tafseer, etc. we recommend that you study 'Uloomul Qur'aan' by Mufti M Taqi Usmani Saheb of Pakistan.
c. Kindly refer to Zafar al-Muhassileen by Mawlana Muhammad Haneef. d. You may also refer to Ma'aariful Qur'aan by Mawlana Mufti Muhammad Shafi, the sixth volume pg.217; printed by Idaaratul Ma'aarif.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.