Tafsir bridges revelation and understanding, with classical works by Tabari, Razi, and Ibn Kathir. Sufi tafsir (e.g., by Qushayri) explores inner meanings. In poetry, tafsir appears as the quest for layers beneath the text—where words bloom into parables, numbers into symbols, and commands into love letters. Poets position themselves as humble interpreters, seeking not just meaning but transformation through the Word.

Tafsir is the scholarly discipline of interpreting or exegeting the Quran. It ranges from explanation based on other Quranic verses and the Sunnah (Tafsir bi'l-ma'thur) to interpretation based on reason and scholarly opinion (Tafsir bi'l-ra'y). Famous works include Tafsir al-Jalalayn and Tafsir ibn Kathir. For scholars and poets, studying Tafsir is essential for understanding the layers of meaning, historical context, and linguistic nuances in the Quranic text, which is the primary source of inspiration for Islamic poetry.