Al-Irfani: Journal of Al Qur'anic and Tafsir

Problematics of Dawam Rahardjo's Social Interpretation: A Critique of the Ethics and Methodology of Qur'anic Interpretation

2023-12-08T12:44:41+00:00

The development of Qur'anic studies in Indonesia, especially in the 90s, experienced significant growth. It was marked by the emergence of various methodological offers from those who not only specialize as mufassirs, but also from non-mufassir scholars. Dawam Rahardjo with his new idea of “social thematic interpretation” (al-Mauḍū’īyyah al-Ijtimā’iyyah) is one of the non-interpretive scholars who have colored the dialectic of Qur`anic interpretation. His thematic methodology based on the analysis of key terms has become an object of discourse that continues to be debated until now. The research in this article is one of the critical studies that tries to fill the discourse. Methodologically, this research is a qualitative research that is operationalized in two approaches: First, the historical approach is used to analyze the originality of the development of Dawam Rahardjo’s tafsir thought. Second, through a critical approach from the perspective of ‘ulūm al-Qur`ān, the author rethinks and critically reads Dawam Rahadjo's interpretation methodology, both in terms of novelty, excellence and weakness. The results of this study show that Dawam Rahardjo’s thematic interpretation methodology has no fundamental differences with thematic methods in general, although some aspects such as “historical interpretation” and “paradigmatic interpretation” are distinctive. However, Dawam has some weaknesses. In terms of the ethics of interpretation, he tends to be apathetic towards the “formal requirements” agreed upon by the majority of scholars, thus often ignoring the basic principles in interpretation. While in terms of methodology, his ideas are still discursive discourse, immature, so it is not uncommon when interpreting, his ideas are not in line with the theory he developed, even some aspects of his views seem distorted, especially his description of the genealogy of thematic interpretation (mauḍū’ī).

LGBT Perspective of Nature, Sharia Law and Interpretation of the Qur'an, Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia, Surah al-A'raf Verses 80-81

2024-01-01T03:15:37+00:00

Abstract:

There is no verse in the Quran that explicitly mentions LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) groups. The term LBGT is based solely on the analysis of scholars' approach and munasabah to the verse on the word fahisiyah or al-Fahasya. This research is a literature study using primary data from tafsir al-Quran, tafsir documents from the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, and secondary data from books and other articles related to the discussion of LGBT. This research is conducted using the Maudui data collection method. That is, setting the topic of discussion, searching and collecting verses of the Qur'an that have similar themes and arguments, and explaining the interpretation of verses related to the topic of sexual disorientation. After collecting all the data, the next step is to analyze the data using descriptive and contextual analysis. The main variable is the Qur'anic verse. Then, the text is explained, categorized, and interpreted objectively based on the Hadith and scholarly opinions on the subject under discussion. Therefore, from the above explanation, we can conclude that LGBT is a deviant act and is clearly prohibited in Islam, as stated in the interpretation book of the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Keywords: LGBT, Tafsir Depag RI, Qs. al-A'raf Verse 80-81

Critique of the Use of Literal Interpretation Method in the Interpretation of the Quran

2024-01-04T14:50:23+00:00

This research aims to criticize the use of literal interpretation methods in the interpretation of the Quran and offer contextual interpretation as an alternative method of interpretation. The study analyzed the history of the use of literal interpretation methods in the interpretation of the Quran, the characteristics of literal interpretation methods, the weaknesses of literal interpretation methods, and the impacts of using literal interpretation methods. The method used in this study was qualitative with a literature study approach. Data was collected through a literature study of books, journals, and related articles. Then, data analysis was conducted using a qualitative descriptive analysis method. The results of the study show that the use of literal interpretation methods in the interpretation of the Quran still lacks attention to the historical and social context when writing verses, and produces a rigid and limited understanding of the Quranic text. The excessive use of literal interpretation methods can also lead to conflicts among Muslims. The impacts of using literal interpretation methods include producing a rigid understanding of religion, neglecting the development of times and the needs of Muslims, and not paying enough attention to social justice values in the Quran. As an alternative, contextual interpretation is offered as a method that pays more attention to the historical, social, and cultural context when writing verses in the Quran. In conclusion, this research shows that the use of literal interpretation methods in the interpretation of the Quran has many weaknesses and negative impacts, so it is necessary to consider using alternative methods such as contextual interpretation.

Comparative Analysis of Al-Mustafid Translation Book with Tafsir Anwar At-Tanzil and Tafsir Jalalain on Magic Verses

2024-01-18T09:42:29+00:00

This research presents a comparative analysis between the Tarjuman Al-Mustafid book with Anwar At-Tanzil's commentary, and Jalalain's commentary with a focus only on magic verses starting from Surah Al-Fatihah, Al-Baqarah verse 102, and Al-Falaq. The research method used is a qualitative approach focused on library research with the main data coming from the books of Tarjuman Al-Mustafid, Tafsir Anwar At-Tanzil, and Tafsir Jalalain. The results of the research show that there is quite a big influence from Anwar At-Tanzil's interpretation and Jalalain's interpretation on Tarjuman Al-Mustafid in terms of the systematic writing and meaning of the verses. One important factor in the relationship with the interpretation of Jalalain is Abdurrauf's intellectual connection with Jalaluddin As-Suyuti, the author of the interpretation of Jalalain. Apart from that, Anwar At-Tanzil's tafsir is also an important reference source in writing this tafsir, as stated on the cover of Tarjuman Al-Mustafid's tafsir. In understanding the magic verses, Abdurrauf is more inclined or agrees with Tafsir Jalalain because it is used as a reference, and is influential when providing a more general explanation.

Uncovering the Meaning of Yad in the Qur'an from a Semantic Perspective Toshihiko Izutsu

2024-01-19T08:03:17+00:00

This article discusses the semantic meaning of the word yad in the Qur'an. The author uses a semantic approach, namely an analytical study of the key terms of a language with a view that ultimately arrives at a conceptual understanding or world view. This research uses a qualitative research method with a descriptive analytical discussion method with a type of library research. The word yad in the Qur'an is repeated 113 times, and is found in 103 verses, with various forms, namely mufrad (singular) 16 times, mutsanna (double) 33 times, and plural (compound) 64 times. Based on Toshihiko Izutsu's semantics, the author concludes that the basic meaning of the word yad is the hand, part of the human body, while the relational meaning from the syntagmatic analysis of the word yad is kudrah, strength, in front and gift. Among the paradigmatic relational meanings are Al Kaff and Al Dzira. In the pre-Qur'anic period, the word yad meant hands, part of the human body. In the Qur'anic period, the hand can shift to meanings that have spiritual value (bakhil, benefactor). Meanwhile, in the post-Quranic period, the word yad did not experience a significant change in meaning. From several analyzes that have been carried out above, it can be seen that the waltanschauung or worldview of the word yad, namely the hand, is materially part of the human body and also yad which has a shift in meaning in the spiritual realm such as generosity, piety, grace and strength.