SUHUF

Reformist Narrative in Tafsir Al-Azhar

Sirajuddin Bariqi — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

This article examines Hamka’s interpretation in Tafsir Al-Azhar regarding the death of Prophet Jesus (ʿIsa), a theological issue that has sparked considerable debate among Qur’anic exegetes and carries significant eschatological implications in Islam. Unlike the majority of classical tafsir which asserts that Jesus has not yet died, Hamka argues that he has indeed passed away. This study employs a qualitative approach through library research, with Tafsir Al-Azhar as the primary source, contextualized with the reformist thought of figures such as Muhammad ‘Abduh, Rasyid Rida, Ahmad Mustafa al-Maragiy, and Mahmud Syaltut. The findings reveal that Hamka’s interpretation not only reflects the influence of Islamic reformism but also demonstrates his independent exegetical effort to construct a contextual meaning. This is evident in three interpretive strategies: distancing his view from the Ahmadiyya despite a shared belief in Jesus’ death, engaging the Gospel as a counter-narrative to Christian theology, and incorporating Indonesia’s socio-religious context into his exegesis. Hamka’s tafsir illustrates his commitment to purifying Islamic doctrine and liberating Muslims from theological understandings he deemed unproductive.

Developing Maqasidiy Exegesis from the Maqasid Al-Qur'an

Syamsul Wathani — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

“Islamic education reform is carried out by discussing tarbawi tafsir. However, tafsir tarbawi so far has ontological problems written by education scholars, methodological problems with concise thematic interpretation models, and axiological problems in the form of interpretation results that tend to be conceptual, not providing actual answers to educational problems. In addition, maqasidiy interpretation of maqasid asy-syari'ah has a fundamental problem taken from the idea of usuliyun, and the limitation of interpretation is only used in legal verses. It is necessary to develop interpretation in the direction of progressive tarbawi interpretation by discouraging maqasidiy of maqasid Al-Qur’an. This article asks questions: How is the development of maqasidiy interpretation of maqasid Al-Qur'an? How is the progressive tarbawi interpretation of Surah Al-'Alaq (96): 1-5, and what is the significance of the interpretation? This article concludes: tafsir maqasidiy from maqasid Al-Qur'an is a development of tafsir methodology built on eight philosophical foundations derived from the Qur'an: straightening faith, improving morals, explaining the law, giving examples, inspiring and guarding education, giving good lessons, organizing social, and proving miracles. Maqasid Al-Qur'an becomes the philosophical foundation of the mufasir in developing meaning in the actual context. Progressive tarbawi interpretation of Surah Al-'Alaq (96): 1-5, among others: the unity of intellectual awareness and transcendental awareness, inspiring awareness of origin and blessings, being an optimistic foundation, teaching literacy awareness, and teaching humility. The significance of his tafsir affirms Islam as a religion that inspires education as a blessing for humanity and life.”

Traces of Paratextual Qur’an Commentary in Indonesia

Nor Lutfi Fais, Kun Khoiro Umam Al Muafa, Egi Tanadi Taufik — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This article examines quotations of Al-Wahidiy’s and Al-Ijiy’s Qur’an interpolations in a Jalalain manuscript, located in the Museum of the Grand Masjid of Central Java. The presence of these interpolations reflects the tradition of peripheral Qur’an commentary. This research adapts the codicological and paratextual analysis to determine the paratextual interpolation of the two Qur’an commentaries, while identifying the manuscript culture of the Jalalayn manuscript in the past. Results suggest that each interpolation of Al-Wahidiy and Al-Ijiy is quoted in different circumstances within a distinctive pattern. The scribe did not act arbitrarily in presenting the paratexts, but instead involved the cognitive process of understanding and signifying the Qur’anic text. This instance is visible from the differences between the original text given by the original authors compared to the paratext of the scribe, e.g. additions and reductions. Nevertheless, the textual source used by the scribe is undetermined, considering the absence of historical data on the circulation of Al-Wahidiy’s and Al-Ijiy’s manuscripts in the past.

Heterogeneity of Ulumul Qur’an in Al-Qur’an Manuscripts

Muhamad Khabib Imdad — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study discusses the heterogeneity of the ulumul qur'an in the ancient mushaf stored in the Great Mosque of the Surakarta Palace, namely in the use of rasm and qira'at aspects. The mushaf is a collection of Sinuhun Pakubuwana X written by Sayyid Ibrahim bin 'Abdullah al-Jufri in the mid-19th century AD. This research is qualitative research using the library research method. The data collection methods applied were observation, documentation, interviews and digitalization, while data analysis used was the descriptive-analytical method. Through this article it can be seen that the mushaf uses two rasm, namely rasm usmani and imla‘i, while in Indonesia it is more common to use only rasm usmani. This phenomenon has similarities with several other findings made by a number of researchers, but this is found in several mushafs such as in Klaten, Bali, Bonjol and Payakumbuh, and Subang. Meanwhile, from the aspect of qira'at, the mushaf mixes the reading model of Imam Nafi' with rawi Qalun, Imam Abu 'Amr rawi ad-Durri, and Imam 'Asim rawi Ḥafs, whereas in the tradition of reading the Qur'an in Indonesia it is more common to use the model third reading.

The Tauhid Interpretation in Surah Al-Ikhlas and Its Role as a Hierarchical Framework in Gender Equality

Himmah Aliyah, Intihaul Fudola; Habil Abyad; Faisal Mahmoud Adam Ibrahim — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Gender discrimination in many Muslim societies is often sustained by patriarchal cultural norms and textualist interpretations of the Qur'an that overlook its broader ethical and egalitarian principles. This study explores how the concept of tauhid in surah Al-Ikhlas can function as both a theological and ethical foundation to challenge patriarchal structures and advance gender justice. Employing a qualitative methodology grounded in literature-based analysis, the research adopts the Living Qur’an framework in conjunction with Amina Wadud’s gender hermeneutics. Primary and secondary sources—including classical exegetical works such as those of Ibn Kasir, contemporary commentaries by scholars like Quraish Shihab and Wadud, as well as scholarly literature on gender equity—inform the analysis. The findings indicate that tauhid, beyond affirming the oneness of God, embodies anti-hierarchical and egalitarian values that reject all forms of human domination, including male supremacy. Through contextual and sociological interpretation, surah Al-Ikhlas reveals tauhid as a moral imperative to promote just and equal gender relations. This study contributes to contemporary Qur’anic scholarship by proposing a gender-responsive theological reading rooted in the lived realities and ethical aspirations of Muslim communities.

Understanding the Variants of Qiraat in Surah Al-Ma’idah and Their Meaning Implications

Siti Nur Ismah, Nur Laili Nabilah Nazahah Najiyah, Fathinatuzzayyan Al Kamilah — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to explore the various qiraat found in Surah Al-Ma’idah and their interpretative implications in Tafsir 10 Qiraat dan Tadabbur Surah Al-Ma’idah by Saiful Islam Mubarak. Employing a qualitative library research method, the primary source is Mubarak’s tafsir, supplemented by relevant secondary literature. Data analysis involves condensation, presentation, and conclusion drawing. The findings reveal 24 verses in Surah Al-Ma’idah containing qiraat variations. Mubarak elaborates on each variant, the reciters (imam and rawi), and the semantic implications. Of these, seven verses exhibit vowel variations without altering meaning or script; another seven show vowel and semantic changes while retaining the script; six involve consonantal and semantic changes with identical rasm; and the remaining three differ in letters, script, and meaning. These results underscore the value of qiraat-based exegesis as a method that enhances interpretive depth and supports the contextual development of Qur’anic commentary by Nusantara scholars.

Reconstruction of Hamzah Writing Rules

Deni Hudaeny, Naira Kamila Hudaini — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The main focus of this study explains the reconstruction or rearrangement of the writing of hamzah in the Indonesian Standard Mushaf. The research method used is a qualitative research method with the type of library research. The conclusion of this paper explains that there is a discrepancy and inconsistency in the writing of rasm and punctuation (dabt) of hamzah in the Indonesian Standard Mushaf with the rules of writing hamzah from the perspective of ad-Daniy and Abu Dawud. In the writing of rasm hamzah, seven words were found spread across ten places. As for the writing of punctuation (dabt) of hamzah, fifteen words were found spread across twenty places. This conclusion was obtained by analyzing the theory of writing hamzah in rasm 'Uthmani through qualitative data analysis, namely by analyzing the rules of writing hamzah in books and journals that are relevant to the science of rasm 'Uthmani, as well as diacritical studies (dabt) of classical and contemporary Al-Qur'an manuscripts.

Formulation of The Study of Nusantara Interpretation

Muhammad Alwi HS, Asmullah Asmullah, Ahmad Nurkholis — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This article presents the formulation of the study of Nusantara interpretation by positioning the treasures of Nusantara ulama as different, distinctive and unique works, while at the same time making the study of it appreciative. This effort is based on the argument that the presence of the study of Nusantara interpretation is a means for scholars to learn from the works of Nusantara ulama, and therefore scholars (should) make the works of Nusantara ulama the basis for developing the scientific study of interpretation. For this reason, this article applies the paradigm of Nusantara Islam in analyzing the study of Nusantara interpretation, from which it reveals several important aspects of the treasures of Nusantara interpretation. These aspects include script-language, presentation of interpretation, methodology, meaning, and others. From here, this article reveals that by holding the principle of being different and appreciative, the formulation of the study of Nusantara interpretation here invites scholars to be more creative in reading the works of Nusantara ulama. A creative way of reading means not allowing oneself to be constrained by existing theories, methods or paradigms, but the researcher freely creates and demonstrates contributions to the treasury of Nusantara interpretation.

The Interpretation of Hamka and Muhammad Quraish Shihab on Illustration of Heaven

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The motivation for this study arises from the observation that many commentators still interpret verses illustrating heaven merely as parables, without sufficiently contextualizing them to social reality. Therefore, this study remains necessary, particularly by examining the interpretations of two Indonesian mufassir from different generations: Hamka (a preacher) and Muhammad Quraish Shihab (an academic). This study is library research employing a descriptive-analysis method. The conclusions of this study indicate that both Hamka and Shihab strive to contextualize the interpretation of verses depicting heaven, contextualizing them in sociocultural paradigms and making them relevant to contemporary contexts. However, Hamka and Shihab exhibit different traits and characteristics in their interpretive approaches and narrative constructs. These differences are primarily due to Hamka's active involvement in the world of preaching, whereas Shihab operates within an academic framework. The interpretations of the verses illustrating heaven by both Hamka and Shihab are notably applicable and contextual, making them relevant to the socio-cultural context. Thus, the narratives constructed by Hamka and Shihab render the abstract and metaphysical nuances of these verses more accessible and comprehensible to the public. As Recommendation; it is necessary to create an interpretative framework for metaphysical verses based on Nusantara identity so that it can be easily understood by the audience, especially the Indonesian people.