There are several approaches to Quranic exegesis, or tafsir, including:

• Traditional: The traditional approach to interpretation is aware of the isnad, or chain of transmitters. 

• Opinion: The Shi’i school of thought is based on opinion. 

• Allegory: The Sufi school of thought is based on allegory. 

• Scientific: The scientific approach to exegesis is based on facts, not assumptions or theories. 

• Tafsīr bi’l-ma’thūr: Also known as tafsīr bi’r-riwāyah, this is the “received tafsir”. 

• Tafsīr bi’r-ra’y: Also known as tafsīr bi’d-dirayah, this is the “tafsir by opinion”. 

Other approaches to Quranic exegesis include: Mu’tazili, Ibadi, Metaphysical, and Modern. 

The sources of Quranic exegesis include:

1. The Quran
2. Hadith
3. Narrations of Companions
4. Narrations of Successors
5. Arabic Language
6. Deliberation and Deduction