The tafsir of al-Qurtubi is perhaps one of the most compendious of them all and is certainly among the most famous. As its title, al-Jami’ li Ahkam al-Qur'an - The General Judgments of the Qur'an, suggests, its main focus is on the rulings and judgments to be found in the Qur'an. However, in the course of doing that, al-Qurtubi examines all the relevant sciences necessary, such as the hadith pertaining to the ayahs, events in the sirah, what the Companions, their Followers and other noted people of knowledge said about the ayahs, essential aspects of Arabic etymology, syntax and usage, copiously illustrated by examples, and much more.

This volume covers Surat al-Ma'idah in its entirety. Among its subjects are the ayats on dietary matters. The surah also recounts the primordial event of the two sons of Adam and their strife. Perhaps the most substantial section is a sustained address to the People of the Book while also considering many issues to do with Muslims’ relations with them. Then there is the great ayat announcing the completion of the din. The surah concludes with the account of the Prophet ‘Isa, peace be upon him, and his disciples and of the Table sent down from Heaven.