Ruhul Ma’aani is an encyclopedic work of tafsir which has combined most of what the ulama of tafsir before the author has said. The author was able to summarize the opinions of scholars in an eloquent fashion, which would have otherwise cause his book to be very lengthy. He was able to do this without causing any changes in the meaning of the original statements.
Allamah Aalusi does not simply copy and paste their opinions, rather he holds comparative discussions. He criticizes weak opinions and mention reasons for preferring a particular opinion.
He combines between the balagha style of Allamah Zamakhshari and the Nahwi method of Abu Hayyan. He also discusses the different modes of recitation and qiraat. Allamah Aalusi never forgets to delve into issues of fiqh. Being a hanafi, in many instances he prefers the opinion of the mathab, however he is not bias in doing so. Many a times he simply mentions all the opinions of the fuqahaa without preferring one over the other, and at times he even indicates towards another mathabs opinion being stronger. He also mentions the mathaahib of the other mujtahedeen. Ruhul Ma’aani is also a great source of “tafsir ishaari” or Sufi tafsir. He, however, is critical of far-fetched interpretations. Likewise he is very critical of Israelite narrations. Unlike other books of tafsir Ruhul Ma’aani is saved from spreading concocted fables and fabrications of the Israelites. Aalusi does not leave out tafsir bil mathoor, rather his work is also a great source for hadith and aathaar of the Salaf.
The author uses eloquent and clear language throughout his tafsir.
The author’s intellectual prowess and in depth knowledge of all the science of Islam becomes apparent to the reader from a very early stage.
In a nutshell this is a must have book and read for all serious students of knowledge.
Name of author: Mahmood ibn Abdullah, al-Hasani, al-Husaini, al-Baghdadi, al-Aalusi. His lineage goes back to Sayyiduna Hasan ibn Ali from his mother’s side and Sayyiduna Husain ibn Ali from his father’s side. May Allah be pleased with them all.
DOB: He came into this world in the year 1218 AH in the city of Baghdad.
Shuyookh: Due to his intelligence he started memorizing mutoon even before completion of the Holy Quran. He studied Aajurmiyyah and Alfiyah ibn Malik under his father and then his father sent him to the great ulama of Baghdad the likes of:
- Alauddeen Ali ibn Yusuf al-Mawsili al-Hanafi (He was a special student of his)
- Ali ibn Muhammad Suwaidi, the muhaddith of Eraq
- Abu Dhiyaa Khalid ibn Hasan al-Naqshabandi al-Mujaddidi, better known as Hazrat Khatimatu Aimmatit Tariqah Naqshabandiyyah and many others.
Mathab: Aalusi was originally on the Shaf’ee mathab but then he converted to hanafiyyah.
Post: Aalusi commenced teaching and writing at the tender age of 13. He was appointed as the grand mufti of the hanafees in the year 1258 AH. The author was an eloquent lecturer and was never afraid to speak the truth. He used to teach 24 classes a day on different sciences of Islam
Allamah Aalusi has authored over 25 books in different sciences of Islam.
DOD: Allamah Mahmood Aalusi left this temporary abode on Friday the 25 of Dhul Qa’dah, 1270 AH.
A poet rightfully said:
Your night is half of your life So do not spend half your life sleeping.
Allamah Aalusi truly benefited from his nights as he used to write this tafsir at tahajjud time. (Qeematuz Zaman)
The edition uploaded here is the best. It was published using a manuscript that was compared to the original copy of the author. This manuscript is preserved in Library of Ahmed III of Istanbul, Turkey.
Download here.
