Structure and Linguistic Features of Turkic Tafsirs From The 10th to 15th Centuries

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive examination of Qur’anic commentaries (tafsirs) written in Turkic languages between the 10th and 15th centuries, a crucial period in the history of Islamic scholarship among Turkic-speaking communities. The study traces the chronological development of these tafsirs, highlighting the historical, cultural, and linguistic evolution that took place over five centuries. By identifying the earliest known examples of Turkic-language tafsirs, the article contributes to a deeper understanding of the emergence and maturation of Islamic exegesis in the Turkic intellectual tradition. The article investigates not only the dating of these commentaries but also their structural characteristics, linguistic features, and the theological and interpretative methods employed by their authors. It places particular emphasis on well-known tafsir manuscripts, analyzing their content, format, and style, and shedding light on how Qur’anic concepts were explained and transmitted to Turkic-speaking Muslim audiences. Furthermore, the study explores the current locations and preservation status of these manuscripts, revealing where they are housed and how accessible they are to contemporary researchers. In addition, the article reviews existing academic research conducted on Turkic-language tafsirs, offering a critical perspective on the scope, methodology, and limitations of previous studies. By synthesizing historical, philological, and theological approaches, the article aims to fill significant gaps in the field of Qur’anic studies and Turkic philology. Ultimately, it seeks to provide scholarly answers to questions concerning the origins, development, and influence of these commentaries, while also encouraging further investigation into this underexplored area of Islamic and Turkic intellectual history.