What is the difference between at-tafsir al-ma’thur and at-tafsir bi al-ma’thur, and what are the characteristics of at-tafsir al-ma’thur and its value during the era of the Companions?

There is no difference between tafsir (definition) bi al-ma’thur (interpretation based on transmitted reports) and tafsir bi al-ma’thur. Its meaning is the interpretation of the Qur’an by the Qur’an, or by the Prophetic Sunnah (definition), or by the sayings of the Companions, and some have appended to it the interpretation of the Tabi'un (Successors). Scholars have divided tafsir into two types: tafsir bi al-ma’thur and tafsir bi al-ra’y (interpretation based on opinion), or tafsir bi al-riwayah (interpretation by narration) and tafsir bi al-dirayah (interpretation by knowledge/discernment).