Hashiyat al-Sawi ala Tafsir al-Jalalayn (Arabic: حاشية الصاوي على تفسير الجلالين) is a famous marginal tafsīr (ḥāshiyah) on Tafsir al-Jalalayn, written by the Maliki scholar Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Sawi (d. 1825).

What the book is

It is a detailed explanatory commentary on Tafsir al-Jalalayn, which was originally authored by:

• Jalal al-Din al-Mahalli
• Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti

Because Jalalayn is very concise, Hashiyat al-Sawi expands it significantly.

Purpose

The main goals of this work are to:

• Clarify brief and dense phrases in Jalalayn
• Provide additional explanations of verses
• Include theological and legal insights
• Address interpretive questions and ambiguities

Style and features

Compared to Hashiyat al-Jamal, this work is:

• More expansive and detailed
• Includes theological discussions (especially Ashʿari thought)
• Incorporates legal interpretations, often reflecting the Maliki school
• Sometimes cites Sufi-oriented insights

It combines:

• Language analysis (grammar, rhetoric)
• Tafsir explanations
• Scholarly commentary across disciplines

Content

It follows the Qur’an verse by verse and includes:

• Explanation of vocabulary
• Context and meaning of verses
• Occasional mention of:
  • Reasons for revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl)
  • Differences of interpretation
  • Legal implications

Why it’s important

• One of the most widely used commentaries on Jalalayn
• Studied in many traditional institutions
• Offers a richer, more detailed layer than shorter marginal notes
• Bridges tafsir, theology, and fiqh

In short

Hashiyat al-Sawi is a comprehensive and enriched marginal commentary on Tafsir al-Jalalayn, giving deeper insight into Qur’anic meanings through language, theology, and law.