For the non-Arab, Volume 2 is a masterclass in classical Arabic poetry. To explain a rare word in Al-Baqarah , Al-Tabari quotes pre-Islamic poets like Zuhayr or Imru' al-Qais. It is impossible to truly understand the "inimitability of the Quran" without seeing how Al-Tabari deconstructs its grammar.
In the widely used modern published by the Islamic Texts Society , Volume 2 focuses on a specific set of surahs (chapters) and verses chosen for their special merits and blessings.
: He provides complete chains of narration for every report he cites, allowing scholars to verify the origin of each interpretation.
Seminary students, historians of religion, and advanced Arabic learners. Not Recommended For: Casual spiritual seekers looking for emotional uplift.