This thesis starts with an introduction which contains Mujahid's life, sources for his Tafsir and background to the writing of Tafsir. It also examines the authorities for Mujahid's interpretations and gives the background of their lives and an estimate of their reliability. Chapter One highlights Mujahid's view of the role of the exegete, with special reference to the notion of whether those who are rooted in knowledge/(rasikhun fi al-'ilm) are able to understand the mutash=abihat of the Qur'an or not. Mujahid is shown to have held the view that they are. The Abbreviated Letters a(al-huruf al-muqatta'ah) are given as an example of the mutashabihat which is treated in Chapter Two. Chapter Three examines the theological issue of whether God can or cannot be seen in the Hereafter. Here Mujahid is shown to have held the view that God could be seen in the Hereafter. Chapter Four deals with the interpretation of the expression maqaman mahmuda mentioned in verse 17:79. It shows the rationalism of Mujahid's interpretation. Chapter Five discusses the way into which the Sabbatarians were transformed and Mujahid's unique view that this must be interpreted metaphorically. Chapters Six and Seven are devoted to juristic problems. The former investigates the interpretation of fahishah mentioned in verses 4:15-16, in addition to the interpretation of verse 24:2. In one opinion widely attributed to Mujahid as regards the interpretation of fahishah, he held that this referred to lesbianism and sodomy. The latter chapter (Seven) fully examines the different kinds of 'iddah and in particular Mujahid's view of the widow's 'iddah. The Last Chapter (Eight) treats linguistic aspects where the interpretations of different Qur'anic verses are discussed and Mujahid puts forward some original interpretations. The conclusion estimates Mujahid as an exegete
