Riwaya
There are two main methods and one prohibited method of commenting on the Qur'an:
It is the act of commenting on the Qur'an using traditional sources. This classical tafsir method is agreed upon by all scholars, and is the most used method throughout history, partly because other methods have been criticized;
- The Qur'an states that it is made easy to understand so no one is allowed to divert its literal meaning.
- The Prophet has condemned those who interpret the Qur'an from their own point of view.
- Most companions of the Prophet have refrained from presenting their own ideas.
Some important examples are Jami al-bayan by al-Tabari and Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azim by ibn Kathir. The sources used for riwaya tafsir are:
Read more about this topic: Tafsir, Methodology