When discussing Qisas (eye for an eye), Tabari moves into jurisprudence ( Fiqh ). He breaks down the verse into grammatical components. Does "The free for the free" mean a noble free person cannot be killed for killing a slave? Tabari says no—he argues the verse establishes equality of life , not hierarchy of class, relying on the consensus of the Companions.
Imam Abu Ja‘far Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari’s The Commentary on the Quran The Commentary On The Quran Vol. 2 By Al-tabari