Al Furqan: Jurnal Ilmu Al Quran dan Tafsir
Al-Furqan: Jurnal Studi Al-Qur’an dan Tafsir is a peer-reviewed academic journal published twice a year (June and December), focusing on scholarly studies of the Qur’an from various perspectives. Its scope includes exegesis and methodology, studies on exegetical figures and traditions, thematic interpretations related to contemporary issues, interdisciplinary integration, manuscript studies, spirituality and mental health, law and ethics, phenomenology, and the development of digital exegesis. Managed by the Department of Qur’anic Studies, Faculty of Ushuluddin, IAI Tarbiyatut Thlabah Lamongan, this journal is committed to enriching the understanding of the Qur’an in ways that remain relevant to the dynamics of modern developments. Print ISSN: 2621-5438 Online ISSN: 2656-6877
Jawa Timur: Prodi. Ilmu Al Quran dan Tafsir Fakultas Ushuluddin IAI Tarbiyatut Tholabah
Interpreting Anthropomorphic Qur'anic Verses through Artificial Intelligence: A Comparative Study of ChatGPT and Gemini
The rapid adoption of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has expanded its application to Qur'anic translation and interpretation, raising important questions regarding the reliability of AI-generated outputs for theologically sensitive verses. Among the most challenging passages are anthropomorphic (mutashābihāt) verses, whose translation requires careful negotiation between literal meaning and established theological traditions. This study compares the translation strategies employed by ChatGPT and Gemini in rendering anthropomorphic Qur'anic expressions and evaluates the consistency of their outputs across repeated interactions. This research employs a qualitative comparative design using library research and content analysis. Four categories of anthropomorphic expressions—wajh (face), aʿyun (eyes), yad (hand), and istawā (rising over the Throne)—were translated repeatedly by both AI systems using identical prompts administered in different sessions. The resulting outputs were classified into three interpretive approaches: literal translation, ta'wīl (figurative interpretation), and tafwīḍ (consigning the ultimate meaning to God). Comparative analysis was then conducted to examine translation preferences and output consistency. The findings demonstrate substantial differences in theological translation strategies between the two AI models. ChatGPT predominantly adopts literal translation (39 of 72 outputs), followed by ta'wīl (19) and tafwīḍ (14), whereas Gemini produces more literal renderings (42 of 72 outputs) together with ta'wīl (30) but does not employ tafwīḍ. ChatGPT also exhibits strategy shifts across repeated sessions, particularly in translating istawā, where responses change from tafwīḍ to literal interpretation. By contrast, Gemini maintains comparatively stable translation patterns despite relying primarily on literal formulations. These findings indicate that generative AI systems differ not only linguistically but also in their implicit theological orientation when processing anthropomorphic Qur'anic expressions. This study contributes to the emerging field of digital Qur'anic studies by providing a systematic framework for evaluating AI translation strategies from a theological perspective. It demonstrates that AI-generated Qur'anic translations should not be regarded as doctrinally neutral, particularly when dealing with verses carrying significant theological implications. The study is limited to two large language models and four categories of anthropomorphic expressions. Future research should expand comparisons to additional AI systems, multilingual translation settings, and broader corpora of mutashābihāt verses to develop more comprehensive evaluation standards for AI-assisted Qur'anic interpretation.
Copyright (c) 2026 Al Furqan: Jurnal Ilmu Al Quran dan Tafsir https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Reassessing the Interpretation of the Moving Mountains in Qur'an 27:88: An Epistemological Analysis through A. J. Ayer's Verification Principle
The interpretation of the "moving mountains" in Qur'an 27:88 has long generated debate within Qur'anic exegesis. Classical exegetes predominantly understand the verse as describing the cosmic events of the Day of Judgment, whereas a number of contemporary scholars interpret it as a scientific indication of the Earth's motion and geological dynamics. Although these interpretations have been extensively discussed from theological and scientific perspectives, limited attention has been devoted to examining their epistemological validity through the framework of modern philosophy of science. This study aims to reassess the interpretation of Qur'an 27:88 by applying Alfred Jules Ayer's verification principle as an epistemological framework for evaluating the scientific claims associated with the verse. Employing qualitative library research, the study analyzes primary Qur'anic commentaries, philosophical works on logical positivism, and contemporary scientific literature concerning Earth's rotation and geological processes. The analysis distinguishes between empirically verifiable propositions and metaphysical propositions in accordance with Ayer's concepts of meaningfulness, analytic and synthetic propositions, and strong and weak verification. The findings demonstrate that the proposition describing the apparent movement of mountains can be interpreted as an empirically meaningful statement when understood in relation to the Earth's rotational motion, whereas theological assertions concerning divine perfection remain beyond empirical verification and belong to the domain of metaphysical discourse. Rather than reducing the Qur'an to a scientific text, this study proposes an epistemological framework that clarifies the limits and possibilities of scientific interpretation within Qur'anic exegesis. By integrating Qur'anic studies, philosophy of science, and contemporary scientific knowledge, this research contributes a critical perspective for evaluating scientific interpretations of the Qur'an while preserving the distinction between empirical inquiry and metaphysical belief.
Siri and al-Ḥayāʾ: Vernacularizing Qur'anic Ethics through Local Wisdom in Daud Ismail's Tafsir al-Munīr
The relationship between local wisdom and Qur'anic ethics has become an important theme in contemporary Qur'anic studies, particularly within the tradition of Indonesian vernacular exegesis. This study examines how the Bugis concept of siri is represented in Tafsir al-Munīr by Daud Ismail and investigates its relationship with the Qur'anic ethical principle of al-ḥayāʾ (modesty and moral shame). The research is motivated by the contemporary distortion of siri within Bugis society, where a value originally intended to preserve human dignity is frequently reduced to a justification for violence and honor-based retaliation. Employing a qualitative library research design, this study applies the Conceptual Framework of Indonesian Qur'anic Exegesis, which analyzes the work through its ontological foundation, language and script, presentation, methodology, and exegetical characteristics. The findings demonstrate that Daud Ismail does not explicitly discuss siri as an independent interpretive theme, nor does he directly associate his exegesis with Bugis cultural philosophy. Nevertheless, the ethical substance of siri is implicitly embedded through the vernacularization of Qur'anic moral concepts into the local Bugis language. Rather than merely preserving a cultural tradition, Tafsir al-Munīr establishes a dialogical relationship between local values and Qur'anic ethics, in which siri provides social and cultural relevance while the Qur'an offers normative ethical guidance and theological boundaries. Consequently, siri is reconstructed from a collective cultural norm into a universal ethical value grounded in Qur'anic teachings, emphasizing dignity, moral responsibility, humility, and humanistic principles. This study contributes to the growing scholarship on vernacular Qur'anic exegesis by demonstrating how local cultural concepts can be critically integrated into Islamic ethical discourse without compromising the normative authority of the Qur'an.
Negotiating Locality in Qur'anic Exegesis: Hamka's Stylistic Strategies in Tafsir Al-Azhar
The relationship between the universality of the Qur'an and the cultural diversity of Muslim societies has become a major concern in contemporary Qur'anic studies. While numerous studies have examined contextual interpretation, limited attention has been given to how locality is constructed through the stylistic organization of exegetical discourse. This study investigates how Hamka negotiates locality in Tafsir Al-Azhar by examining the stylistic strategies through which Qur'anic meanings are communicated within the Indonesian socio-cultural context. Employing qualitative library research, the study analyzes selected passages of Tafsir Al-Azhar using textual analysis integrated with stylistic and contextual approaches. The analysis focuses on linguistic choices, interreligious discourse, and socio-historical narratives that mediate the relationship between revelation and local realities. The findings reveal three interrelated dimensions of stylistic localization. First, lexical localization utilizes vernacular expressions from Indonesian regional languages to bridge Arabic Qur'anic concepts with local linguistic consciousness. Second, dialogical localization employs interreligious comparisons to explain Islamic monotheism within Indonesia's plural religious landscape. Third, historical localization incorporates Indonesia's collective historical experience, particularly colonial memory, to strengthen the ethical relevance of Qur'anic teachings. These findings demonstrate that locality functions not merely as the background of interpretation but as an internal stylistic mechanism that shapes exegetical discourse. This study proposes Local Stylistics of Qur'anic Exegesis as a new analytical framework, arguing that locality is constructed through lexical, dialogical, and historical mediation rather than simply reflecting socio-cultural context. The proposed framework contributes to contemporary Qur'anic studies by offering a transferable model for analyzing vernacular tafsīr traditions across diverse Muslim societies.
The Qur'anic Reward System: A Thematic Analysis of Paradise, Hell, and Human Deeds
The concepts of paradise and hell constitute the Qur'an's comprehensive system of divine reward and punishment, serving not only as descriptions of the afterlife but also as ethical mechanisms that shape human conduct. Despite extensive studies on Qur'anic eschatology, the relationship between paradise, hell, and human deeds as an integrated reward system remains insufficiently explored. This study aims to examine the Qur'anic reward system through a thematic analysis of paradise, hell, and their correspondence with human deeds. Employing a qualitative library research design, the study applies the Structured Thematic Analysis (STA) method, integrating thematic Qur'anic interpretation with systematic coding procedures adapted from Grounded Theory. The primary data consist of Qur'anic verses concerning paradise, hell, faith, and righteous deeds, supported by classical and contemporary Qur'anic commentaries. The findings demonstrate that the Qur'an constructs a hierarchical and proportional reward system grounded in divine justice. Paradise is portrayed through progressive levels of reward encompassing sensory, psychological, social, and transcendental dimensions, culminating in the vision of Allah (ru'yat Allāh), while hell presents graduated forms of punishment corresponding to varying degrees of disbelief, injustice, and sinful behavior across physical, psychological, and metaphysical dimensions. The analysis further reveals that reward and punishment operate at both individual and collective levels, reinforcing moral accountability within personal and social life. This study contributes to Qur'anic studies by conceptualizing the Qur'anic reward system as an integrated ethical framework linking faith, righteous deeds, divine justice, and eschatological accountability, thereby providing a comprehensive perspective for contemporary Islamic education and da'wah.
Reconstructing the Epistemological Framework of Scientific Qur'anic Exegesis: Tafsir Ulul Albab and the Interpretation of Ayat Kauniyah
The rapid advancement of modern science has stimulated renewed discussions on the relationship between the Qur'an and scientific knowledge, leading to the emergence of diverse models of scientific Qur'anic exegesis. Nevertheless, studies examining the epistemological foundations underlying contemporary scientific tafsir remain limited, particularly regarding how revelation, reason, and empirical science are integrated into a coherent interpretive framework. This study aims to reconstruct the epistemological framework of Tafsir Ulul Albab by Agus Mustofa in interpreting ayat kauniyah. Employing a qualitative library research design with content analysis, the study examines the sources of knowledge, interpretive methodology, and validation principles that characterize the exegetical approach of Tafsir Ulul Albab. The findings demonstrate that its epistemology is constructed upon an integrative paradigm that synthesizes revelation (waḥy), rational inquiry ('aql), and contemporary scientific knowledge. Methodologically, the tafsir employs a deductive-confirmatory approach within a partial thematic (mawḍū'ī) and ra'y interpretive model, where Qur'anic descriptions of nature are interpreted through contemporary scientific discoveries while maintaining the primacy of the Qur'anic text. The validity of interpretation is established through correspondence between scriptural meaning and empirically verified scientific evidence, enabling constructive dialogue between religious knowledge and modern science. This study contributes to contemporary Qur'anic studies by conceptualizing Tafsir Ulul Albab as an integrative epistemological model of scientific exegesis that strengthens interdisciplinary engagement between Qur'anic interpretation and scientific inquiry without reducing the authority of revelation.
Islamic Family Educational Values in the Narrative of Prophet Yusuf's Dream in Qur'an 12:1–6
Contemporary Muslim families increasingly encounter challenges related to character formation, parent–child communication, and the transmission of religious values. While the narrative of Prophet Yusuf has been widely examined from theological, literary, and psychological perspectives, limited attention has been given to its contribution as a framework for Islamic family education, particularly in the opening narrative of Qur'an 12:1–6. This study aims to explore the Islamic family educational values embedded in the narrative of Prophet Yusuf's dream and to examine their relevance for contemporary family education. This qualitative library research employs a tahlili approach to Qur'anic interpretation by analyzing Qur'an 12:1–6 through classical and contemporary tafsir literature, supported by relevant scholarly works on Islamic education and family studies. The findings reveal that the narrative embodies five interconnected educational values: strengthening faith, cultivating respect toward parents, fostering affection within the family, nurturing optimism, and promoting constructive parent–child communication. These values are reflected in the compassionate interaction between Prophet Ya'qub and Prophet Yusuf, demonstrating an educational model grounded in spirituality, wisdom, emotional support, and parental guidance. The study concludes that the narrative of Prophet Yusuf's dream offers a holistic framework for Islamic family education that remains relevant for nurturing moral character, spiritual development, and harmonious family relationships in contemporary Muslim society.
The Historical Development of Tafsir 'Ilmi: From Classical Scientific Exegesis to Contemporary Scientific Interpretation
Scientific exegesis (tafsir 'ilmi) has become one of the most debated approaches in Qur'anic interpretation due to its attempt to correlate Qur'anic verses with scientific knowledge. While this interpretive trend has attracted considerable scholarly attention, existing studies have predominantly examined individual exegetes, methodological issues, or the compatibility between the Qur'an and modern science, leaving the historical evolution of tafsir 'ilmi across different intellectual periods insufficiently explored. This study aims to examine the historical development of tafsir 'ilmi from the classical period to the contemporary era while identifying the epistemological shifts that have shaped its interpretive paradigm. Employing a qualitative library research approach with historical and philosophical perspectives, this study analyzes primary and secondary sources on the history of Qur'anic exegesis and scientific interpretation. The findings reveal that the development of tafsir 'ilmi has undergone four major phases. During the classical period, scientific reasoning functioned primarily to reinforce theological arguments concerning divine creation. The medieval period witnessed a decline in scientific interpretation due to the dominance of sectarian and ideological tendencies. In the modern period, scientific exegesis re-emerged as a response to modernity and Western scientific advancement through figures such as Muhammad Abduh and Tantawi Jawhari. Subsequently, the contemporary period transformed tafsir 'ilmi into a more systematic and interdisciplinary approach, represented prominently by Zaghlul al-Najjar, while simultaneously generating enduring debates regarding the epistemological limits of integrating scientific theories into Qur'anic interpretation. This study contributes to the field of Qur'anic studies by offering a comprehensive historical framework that explains the evolution of scientific exegesis and clarifies the changing relationship between revelation, reason, and scientific knowledge across different periods of Islamic intellectual history.
Countering Digital Hate Speech through Qur'anic Communication Ethics: Insights from Q. al-Ḥujurāt (49):11
The widespread prevalence of digital hate speech, cyberbullying, negative labeling, and identity-based polarization has exposed the growing crisis of ethical communication in contemporary social media. While Islamic communication ethics has been widely discussed, relatively few studies have examined how Qur'anic exegesis can provide a comprehensive ethical framework for addressing these digital challenges. This study aims to investigate how Q. al-Ḥujurāt (49):11 articulates Qur'anic communication ethics and to explore its relevance for countering hate speech in digital environments. Employing qualitative library research with the tahlili method of Qur'anic exegesis, the study analyzes the verse through linguistic (mufradāt), historical (asbāb al-nuzūl), textual (munāsabah), and comparative interpretive approaches based on classical and contemporary Qur'anic commentaries. The findings identify five interconnected ethical principles: respect for human dignity, self-reflection and communal solidarity, prevention of reciprocal hostility, faith-based moral self-regulation, and the promotion of brotherhood and tolerance. Collectively, these principles provide a normative foundation for preventing cyberbullying, digital backbiting, identity-based hate speech, negative labeling, and social polarization across social media platforms. This study contributes to contemporary Qur'anic studies by demonstrating how Q. al-Ḥujurāt (49):11 offers a coherent ethical framework for countering digital hate speech, thereby strengthening interdisciplinary engagement between Qur'anic ethics, digital communication, and responsible online citizenship.
Ījāz and Iṭnāb as Rhetorical Strategies for Reinforcing Divine Messages in the Qur'an
The rhetorical excellence of the Qur'an has long been recognized as one of its defining characteristics. However, contemporary Qur'anic scholarship has predominantly emphasized theological, legal, and semantic dimensions, while the communicative functions of classical rhetorical devices remain comparatively underexplored. This study examines ījāz (conciseness) and iṭnāb (elaboration) as rhetorical strategies for reinforcing divine messages in the Qur'an. Employing a qualitative library-based research design, the study applies the analytical framework of classical Arabic balāghah to examine selected Qur'anic verses that exemplify both rhetorical styles. The findings reveal that ījāz reinforces divine messages through linguistic economy, semantic density, and expressive precision, enabling profound meanings to be conveyed with maximum rhetorical impact. Conversely, iṭnāb strengthens divine communication through purposeful elaboration, contextual clarification, persuasive emphasis, and emotional engagement, facilitating deeper cognitive and spiritual internalization of Qur'anic teachings. Rather than representing contrasting rhetorical styles, ījāz and iṭnāb function as complementary communicative strategies whose effectiveness depends on the communicative context and intended persuasive purpose of the discourse. This study contributes to contemporary Qur'anic rhetoric by demonstrating that the persuasive power of the Qur'an emerges not only from the theological content of its messages but also from the strategic deployment of rhetorical forms that optimize meaning, persuasion, and spiritual transformation. These findings extend the study of balāghah beyond stylistic description toward a functional and discourse-oriented understanding of Qur'anic rhetoric.
Mabādi' al-'Āmmah as an Epistemological Framework for Qur'anic Ecotheology: Ali Jum'ah's Integrative Reasoning
The escalating global environmental crisis has intensified scholarly interest in religious approaches that offer ethical and theological foundations for ecological sustainability. Although Islamic environmental ethics has received growing attention, limited studies have examined how contemporary Qur'anic scholarship constructs an integrated epistemological framework for ecotheology. This study aims to analyze Ali Jum'ah's concept of Mabādi' al-'Āmmah as an epistemological framework for developing Qur'anic ecotheology. Employing a qualitative library research design with an analytical-critical approach, the study examines Ali Jum'ah's writings through thematic analysis of Qur'anic principles and their application to contemporary environmental issues. The findings demonstrate that Mabādi' al-'Āmmah functions as an integrative interpretive framework that systematically derives universal Qur'anic principles and translates them into theological, ethical, and social responsibilities toward the environment. Within this framework, tawḥīd serves as the ontological foundation of the human–nature relationship, khilāfah establishes ecological responsibility, and mīzān provides the ethical principle for maintaining environmental balance and justice. Consequently, Qur'anic ecotheology is understood not merely as environmental ethics but as a comprehensive spiritual paradigm in which environmental stewardship constitutes an integral expression of worship ('ibādah) and moral accountability before God. This study contributes to contemporary Qur'anic studies by conceptualizing Mabādi' al-'Āmmah as an epistemological framework for Qur'anic ecotheology, thereby enriching interdisciplinary discussions on Islam, environmental ethics, and sustainable ecological governance.
Copyright (c) 2025 Al Furqan: Jurnal Ilmu Al Quran dan Tafsir https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
The Re-emergence of Classical Exegesis in the Contemporary Era: Between Revivalism, Epistemological Continuity, and Intellectual Stagnation
The persistence of classically oriented Qur'anic exegesis in the contemporary period presents an important yet underexplored phenomenon in Qur'anic studies. While modern tafsir has generally been associated with reformist, contextual, and interdisciplinary approaches, a number of contemporary exegetical works continue to preserve classical interpretive structures and methodologies. This study investigates the re-emergence of classical exegesis through a comparative analysis of three major twentieth-century commentaries: Tafsir al-Munir by Wahbah al-Zuhaili, al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir by Muhammad al-Tahir Ibn Ashur, and Khawatir Hawl al-Qur'an al-Karim by Muhammad Mutawalli al-Sha'rawi. Employing qualitative library research with descriptive-comparative analysis, the study examines their exegetical methodologies, interpretive sources, systematic structures, and socio-intellectual orientations. The findings demonstrate that all three commentaries preserve essential characteristics of classical tafsir—including the predominance of the tahlili method, extensive engagement with earlier exegetical authorities, philological analysis, and comprehensive verse-by-verse interpretation—while simultaneously incorporating selective responses to contemporary intellectual and social concerns. These findings challenge the conventional binary classification that sharply separates classical and contemporary tafsir. Instead, the study argues that these works represent a form of neo-classical exegesis, characterized by epistemological continuity rather than methodological stagnation. Consequently, the re-emergence of classical exegesis should be understood neither merely as a revivalist movement nor as evidence of intellectual decline, but as a dynamic strategy for preserving the authority of the classical exegetical tradition while negotiating the demands of modernity. This study contributes a new theoretical perspective by proposing neo-classical exegesis as an intermediary category within the historiography of Qur'anic interpretation.
Toward an Integrative Framework of Qur'anic Prenatal Education: Quraish Shihab's Interpretation of QS. Āli 'Imrān:35
Growing evidence from developmental psychology, neuroscience, and prenatal health has highlighted the significance of the prenatal period in shaping human development. Nevertheless, studies on Islamic education continue to focus predominantly on postnatal learning, while the Qur'anic foundations of prenatal education remain underexplored. This study aims to reconstruct the concept of Qur'anic prenatal education through Quraish Shihab's interpretation of QS. Āli 'Imrān:35 in Tafsir al-Misbāḥ. Employing a qualitative library research design, the study applies thematic (mawḍū'ī) exegesis combined with content analysis to examine Shihab's interpretation in dialogue with contemporary scholarship on prenatal psychology, developmental neuroscience, and maternal well-being. The findings identify three interconnected principles that constitute the foundation of Qur'anic prenatal education. First, parental commitment (nadhar) establishes intentional preparation before birth as the ethical basis of educational responsibility. Second, spiritual communication through prayer strengthens maternal emotional resilience and nurtures prenatal attachment between mother and fetus. Third, tawakkul functions as a spiritual coping strategy that promotes maternal psychological well-being, reduces stress, and supports healthy fetal development. Together, these principles demonstrate that prenatal education in the Qur'an is both preventive and formative, integrating spiritual values with psychosocial and biological dimensions of pregnancy. This study contributes to Islamic education by reconstructing a comprehensive framework of Qur'anic prenatal education that bridges classical Qur'anic exegesis with contemporary scientific perspectives, thereby providing a conceptual foundation for Islamic parenting education, prenatal counseling, and faith-based maternal health programs.
Moh. Sulthan Lingga Rajendra Alfanio Guevara
Trust and Accountability in Disaster Leadership: A Comparative Qur'anic and Administrative Analysis of Regional Heads' Resignations in Aceh
The resignation and public declarations of incapacity by several regional heads during the flood and landslide disasters in Aceh generated widespread debate concerning the ethical responsibilities of public leaders in times of crisis. While administrative studies generally evaluate such events through procedural accountability and institutional performance, limited attention has been given to the Qur'anic conception of leadership accountability as a moral and spiritual obligation. This study aims to examine the concepts of trust (amānah) and accountability in the Qur'an and compare them with modern administrative accountability in interpreting the resignation of regional heads during disaster management in Aceh. Employing a qualitative library research design, the study adopts thematic Qur'anic interpretation (tafsīr mawḍūʿī) integrated with comparative analysis of public administration literature, classical and contemporary Qur'anic exegesis, and relevant scholarly works on leadership and disaster governance. The findings demonstrate that Qur'anic accountability extends beyond procedural and institutional obligations by integrating moral integrity, continuous leadership presence, justice, and transcendental responsibility before Allah. In contrast, administrative accountability primarily emphasizes legal compliance, organizational performance, and political responsibility. The comparative analysis reveals that the resignation or withdrawal of regional leaders during disaster emergencies represents not only an administrative deficiency but also a violation of the Qur'anic principles of amānah and moral leadership. This study contributes theoretically by proposing an integrated framework of Qur'anic and administrative accountability that enriches contemporary discussions on disaster leadership and offers an ethical foundation for strengthening accountable public governance in Muslim societies.
Maqāṣid al-Qur'an as an Ethical Framework for Achieving the Social Development Pillar of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The increasing complexity of global social challenges has intensified the search for ethical frameworks capable of supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Although numerous studies have examined the relationship between Islam and sustainable development, limited attention has been given to the Maqāṣid al-Qur'an as a comprehensive ethical framework for advancing the social development pillar of the SDGs. This study aims to examine how the higher objectives of the Qur'an provide normative principles for achieving the five goals within the social development pillar of the SDGs. Employing a qualitative library research design, the study analyzes data derived from the Qur'an, Hadith, official SDG documents, statistical reports published by Statistics Indonesia (BPS), and relevant scholarly literature using thematic content analysis. The findings demonstrate that the Maqāṣid al-Qur'an constitutes a holistic ethical framework through three interrelated dimensions. First, social welfare is established as a theological obligation grounded in faith (īmān) and piety (taqwā), transforming poverty alleviation and social justice into religious responsibilities rather than merely development targets. Second, Islamic philanthropic instruments, particularly ZISWAF (zakat, infaq, ṣadaqah, and waqf), function as strategic institutional mechanisms for translating Qur'anic ethical values into sustainable social policies. Third, prophetic leadership provides the ethical governance necessary to ensure justice, accountability, and public welfare in implementing development programs. This study contributes to contemporary discussions on religion and sustainable development by conceptualizing the Maqāṣid al-Qur'an as an ethical framework that complements the global SDG agenda while offering normative guidance for socially just, inclusive, and sustainable development.
Polygamy and the Ethics of Transparency in Muhammad Syahrur’s Theory of Limits: An Analysis of Indonesia’s 2025 Viral Cases
The emergence of viral cases of non-transparent polygamy in Indonesia in 2025 has reignited critical debates on family ethics, honesty, and moral accountability in contemporary Muslim societies. This study examines these practices through the lens of Muhammad Syahrur’s Theory of Limits (Naẓariyyat al-Ḥudūd), which conceptualizes Islamic legal norms as operating within defined minimum and maximum ethical boundaries. Employing a qualitative research design, this study is based on a critical literature review combined with intra-textual analysis of Qur’anic verses on marriage and polygamy, alongside an examination of Syahrur’s principal works. Sociological data from publicly documented viral cases are utilized as contextual evidence to illustrate the ethical tensions surrounding non-transparent polygamy. The findings demonstrate that, within Syahrur’s framework, polygamy is not an unconditional male prerogative but a conditional social practice constrained by strict moral limits aimed at safeguarding justice and protecting women’s rights. Polygamy conducted without transparency is shown to violate the minimum boundary of justice by denying women access to truthful information, undermining trust, and generating psychological and social harm. From the perspective of boundary theory, such practices constitute a form of injustice (ẓulm) and conflict with the maqāṣid al-sharīʿah, particularly the preservation of dignity, welfare, and family stability. This study argues that Syahrur’s Theory of Limits offers a relevant ethical framework for evaluating modern polygamy, emphasizing transparency, honesty, and justice as indispensable principles in contemporary Islamic family ethics.
Scientific Exegesis and Epistemic Boundaries: A Qualitative Study of Tafsir al-Muntakhab on Qur’anic Cosmology
The development of modern science, particularly in cosmology and natural sciences, has created epistemological tensions in Qur’anic studies. Scientific exegesis (tafsīr ʿilmī) has emerged as an approach linking revelation with empirical knowledge, yet it often faces criticism for potentially reducing divine revelation to positivistic frameworks. Tafsir al-Muntakhab, compiled by the Lajnah al-Qur’an wa al-Sunnah under the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Egypt, occupies a unique position as an institutional tafsir designed for modern readers. This study analyzes the construction and epistemological legitimacy of scientific interpretation in Tafsir al-Muntakhab, focusing on QS. Al-Anbiyāʾ [21]:30 and QS. Adz-Dzāriyāt [51]:47. A qualitative design employing content analysis and hermeneutic interpretation was used, emphasizing textual fidelity and contextual understanding. Findings show that Tafsir al-Muntakhab separates core Qur’anic meanings from supplementary scientific explanations, positions science as an illustrative tool, and balances textual, scientific, and contemporary reader needs. Analysis of cosmological verses reveals understanding of the initial union and separation of heaven and earth, planet formation, emergence of life from water, and cosmic expansion, consistent with modern scientific theories. This approach reflects a moderate scientific tafsir that preserves the epistemic authority of the Qur’an while facilitating constructive dialogue between revelation and science.
Implementing Caliphate Values in the Qur’an through Zero Waste in an Ecological Tafsir Study
Environmental degradation and waste accumulation represent critical challenges that extend beyond technical or policy failures, reflecting deeper ethical and moral crises in human–nature relations. This study examines how Qur’anic caliphate (khalīfah) values can be operationalized through zero waste practices, bridging normative Islamic ethics and contemporary environmental action. Using a qualitative normative–textual approach within an ecological tafsīr framework, Qur’anic verses on stewardship, balance (mīzān), moral trust (amānah), and prohibitions against excess (isrāf) and environmental destruction (fasād) were thematically analyzed alongside classical and contemporary exegeses. The findings reveal that zero waste embodies a practical manifestation of Qur’anic ethics, translating khalīfah, mīzān, and amānah into actionable environmental behaviors, including consumption reduction, waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and organic waste management. This operational mapping demonstrates that ecological responsibility is an inherent dimension of Islamic ethical teachings, offering a systematic framework for implementing value-based sustainability practices. The study contributes theoretically by advancing ecological tafsīr from conceptual ethics toward practice-oriented application and highlights the potential of religious principles to transform environmental behavior in contemporary Muslim contexts. Future research should investigate the empirical effectiveness of zero waste practices grounded in Qur’anic ethics and explore comparative eco-theological applications across communities.
From Sanad to Algorithm: Digital Qur’anic Interpretation and the Reconfiguration of Religious Authority in Indonesia
The rapid expansion of digital media has fundamentally transformed the production, circulation, and authority of Qur’anic interpretation across the Muslim world. Whereas classical tafsir traditions grounded religious authority in scholarly sanad, linguistic expertise, and institutional recognition, contemporary digital platforms increasingly mediate religious meaning through algorithms, popularity metrics, and visual performance. Despite the growing scholarship on digital religion, empirical studies that critically examine how Qur’anic interpretation itself is reshaped by platform logics and how this process reconfigures religious authority remain limited, particularly in non-Western Muslim contexts. Addressing this gap, this study examines digital Qur’anic interpretation in Indonesia through a qualitative–quantitative content analysis of 50 tafsir-related contents collected from YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter/X, and digital tafsir websites. Drawing on theories of digital religion, mediated religious authority, and algorithmic governance, the analysis maps content formats, producer typologies, ideological strategies, and emerging forms of digital piety. The findings demonstrate that digital Qur’anic interpretation is dominated by short, motivational, and emotionally driven content aligned with the logic of social media virality. Religious authority is increasingly negotiated through visibility, aesthetic performance, and audience engagement rather than through classical scholarly credentials. The study also identifies distinct forms of digital piety—performative, communal, consumerist, ritual-digital, and emotional—reinforced by algorithmic mechanisms such as polarization, confirmation bias, and echo chambers of belief. Theoretically, this study conceptualizes a shift in Qur’anic interpretive authority from sanad-based legitimacy toward algorithmically mediated authority, while empirically positioning Indonesia as a critical case for understanding the global transformation of Qur’anic interpretation in the age of algorithms.
The Dimension of Maqaṣid in the Tafsir of Al-Manar by Muhammad 'Abduh and Rashid Riḍa on the Verses of Polygamy
The ongoing debate on polygamy in Islam highlights the urgency of Qur’anic interpretation that goes beyond legal-formal readings and incorporates the ethical and social objectives of Islamic law. In this context, Tafsīr al-Manār by Muḥammad ʿAbduh and Rashīd Riḍā represents a significant reformist exegetical work that responds to modern human and social challenges through a rational and maqāṣid-oriented framework. This study examines in depth the dimension of maqāṣid al-sharīʿah in the interpretation of polygamy-related verses in Tafsīr al-Manār, particularly QS al-Nisāʾ [4]:3 and related passages. The primary objective of this research is to uncover the maqāṣid-based construction of polygamy developed by ʿAbduh and Riḍā and to analyze its relevance to contemporary discourses on justice and family welfare. This research employs a qualitative-descriptive approach using content analysis, supported by thematic (mawḍūʿī) interpretation and critical textual analysis of the exegetical text. Primary data are drawn from Tafsīr al-Manār, while secondary sources include classical and contemporary works on Qur’anic exegesis, maqāṣid al-sharīʿah, and Islamic family law. The findings demonstrate that polygamy is not treated as an ideal normative practice but as a socially conditioned concession that is strictly constrained by the objectives of Islamic law, particularly justice, the protection of women’s dignity, and family stability. This study underscores the contribution of Tafsīr al-Manār to the development of a contextual and human-centered maqāṣid-based paradigm of Qur’anic interpretation.
Transformation of Scientific Interpretation in Indonesia: An Epistemological Criticism of the Scientific-Religious Paradigm in the Works of Purwanto and Mustofa
The development of scientific interpretation (tafsīr ʿilmī) in Indonesia reflects an ongoing attempt to negotiate the relationship between Qur’anic revelation and modern scientific knowledge, while simultaneously raising epistemological questions concerning interpretive boundaries and methodological legitimacy. This study examines the transformation of scientific interpretation in the Indonesian context through a comparative analysis of the interpretive approaches of Agus Purwanto and Agus Mustofa, particularly in their engagement with kauniyyah verses. The primary objective of this research is to identify the dominant patterns of scientific interpretation employed by both figures and to assess their continuity with classical exegetical principles. Adopting a qualitative-descriptive design, this study employs comparative textual analysis supported by an evaluative framework derived from classical tafsīr theory, emphasizing linguistic accuracy, rhetorical coherence, and theological consistency as articulated by al-Zahabi. Primary data are drawn from the major works of Purwanto and Mustofa and are contextualized through relevant classical and contemporary literature on scientific exegesis. The findings demonstrate that Purwanto advances a revelation-based, scientific-textual model in which modern science functions as an explanatory tool subordinate to the Qur’anic text. In contrast, Mustofa represents a rational-speculative approach that positions contemporary scientific theories as the primary interpretive lens for metaphysical Qur’anic concepts. This study contributes to Qur’anic studies by offering an epistemological mapping of scientific interpretation in Indonesia and by advancing a critical framework for integrating scientific reasoning with textual fidelity and theological integrity in contemporary exegesis.
Reconstructing Qur'anic Managerial Responsibility: Leadership, Servanthood, and Trust
The ongoing leadership crisis, low integrity, and weak organizational governance highlight the need for a managerial paradigm grounded not only in technical competence but also in moral and spiritual values. This article aims to reconstruct the Qur’anic concept of human responsibility by integrating three key notions—khalifah (leadership mandate), ‘ibad (servanthood and value orientation), and amanah (trust and accountability)—into the framework of Qur’anic Managerial Responsibility (QMR). The study employs a qualitative approach using thematic (maudhu‘i) interpretation and hermeneutical analysis, examined through the lens of contemporary Islamic management theory. Data are derived from Qur’anic verses, classical and modern tafsir literature, and scholarly works on Islamic leadership and management. The findings demonstrate that khalifah represents a strategic leadership mandate and sustainable stewardship, ‘ibad constitutes the spiritual–ethical foundation guiding leadership behavior, and amanah functions as a structure of moral and institutional accountability. The integration of these three pillars forms a holistic Qur’anic leadership model conceptualized as Leader–Servant–Trustee. Furthermore, the study shows that QMR is not merely theoretical but can be operationalized in Islamic finance, education, and business sectors through ethical governance and accountability practices. Theoretically, this research bridges the epistemological gap between Qur’anic exegesis and Islamic management studies, offering a value-based leadership framework relevant to contemporary organizational contexts.
AI and Qur’anic Interpretation: Exploring the Ethical and Epistemological Boundaries of Artificial Intelligence in Understanding the Qur’an
The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly influenced religious studies, particularly in the analysis and interpretation of sacred texts. This study critically examines the role of AI in Qur’anic interpretation by addressing its epistemic capabilities, ethical limitations, and claims to interpretive authority. Employing a qualitative, literature-based research design, this study analyzes peer-reviewed scholarship on AI and religion, computational hermeneutics, natural language processing of sacred texts, and algorithmic bias, alongside classical and contemporary works in Islamic epistemology and Qur’anic exegesis. The findings indicate that while AI demonstrates high proficiency in linguistic processing, semantic consistency, and structural analysis of religious texts, it lacks epistemic understanding, moral intentionality, and ontological subjectivity. From the perspective of Islamic epistemology, knowledge is inseparable from consciousness, ethical responsibility, and interpretive accountability—dimensions that AI cannot possess. Moreover, algorithmic bias and the risk of decontextualization further challenge the use of AI as an autonomous interpretive authority in religious contexts. This study argues that AI should be positioned as an instrumental analytical tool rather than a subject of interpretation in Qur’anic exegesis. Its primary contribution lies in articulating a clear epistemological boundary between computational processing and hermeneutical understanding, thereby offering a critical framework for the ethical and responsible integration of AI within Islamic studies and religious scholarship more broadly.
Reconstructing the Narrative of Eve’s Creation in Qur’anic Exegesis through Gender and Sufi Perspectives
Amid the intensifying global discourse on gender justice, Qur’anic interpretation continues to be shaped by a long-standing legacy of patriarchal exegesis, particularly in narratives concerning the creation of woman. This tension is especially evident in interpretations of Surah al-Nisāʾ verse 1, a passage that affirms humanity’s origin from a single ontological source (nafs wāḥidah), yet has frequently been read through hierarchical frameworks that position women as derivative and subordinate. This article seeks to reconstruct the narrative of Eve’s creation in Qur’anic exegesis by integrating gender analysis with Sufi perspectives as an alternative hermeneutical framework. Employing a qualitative library-based approach, the study draws on classical and contemporary Qur’anic commentaries as primary sources, supported by scholarly literature on gender, Qur’anic hermeneutics, and Islamic ontology. Data were analyzed using critical hermeneutics and thematic analysis to identify ontological assumptions and gender bias embedded in exegetical traditions. The findings demonstrate that hierarchical portrayals of Eve’s creation do not originate from the Qur’anic text itself but from historically contingent patriarchal epistemologies that shaped classical interpretation. Contemporary egalitarian tafsīr emphasizes the shared ontological origin of men and women, while Sufi interpretations further reinforce this equality through concepts of spiritual parity and human perfection (insān kāmil). By integrating these approaches, this study proposes a reconstructive, non-hierarchical model of Qur’anic interpretation that is ethically grounded and contextually responsive. This research contributes to Qur’anic studies by advancing a gender-just and spiritually informed exegesis that remains faithful to the Qur’an’s moral vision while addressing contemporary demands for gender justice.
Reframing Women’s Rights and the Prohibition of Domestic Violence in the Qur’an: A Maqāṣid-Based Hermeneutical Framework for Family Justice
Domestic violence within Muslim societies continues to persist not only as a social and legal problem but also as a consequence of entrenched interpretive practices that normalize patriarchal authority in family relations. This study critically examines women’s rights and the Qur’anic prohibition of domestic violence through a maqāṣid al-sharīʿah–based hermeneutical framework. The primary objective is to elucidate the ethical architecture of the Qur’an in regulating family relations and to develop an interpretive model that situates domestic violence as fundamentally incompatible with the higher objectives of Islamic law. Employing a qualitative normative approach, this study conducts a thematic analysis of Qur’anic verses on family relations, supported by classical and contemporary Qur’anic exegesis and strengthened through a comparative analysis of legal instruments and family protection policies. The data are integratively constructed from the Qur’anic text, representative exegetical literature, and legal documents addressing domestic violence. The findings demonstrate that the Qur’an consistently frames the family as an ethical space grounded in justice (ʿadl), compassion (raḥmah), and human dignity (karāmah), thereby rendering all forms of domestic violence contradictory to the protection of life, honor, and family integrity as core objectives of the Sharīʿah. This study contributes by proposing an integrative maqāṣidī hermeneutical framework that bridges Qur’anic ethics, gender-sensitive interpretation, and contemporary legal discourse, offering a normative foundation for advancing family justice and protection in Muslim societies.
Maqāṣid-Based Interpretation of Wife Alimony in Ṣiddīq Ḥasan Khān’s Fatḥ al-Bayān
The issue of spousal maintenance (nafqa) remains a persistent source of domestic conflict within Muslim families, frequently contributing to marital breakdown and divorce. This study critically examines Ṣiddīq Ḥasan Khān’s conception of the husband’s obligation of maintenance as articulated in Fatḥ al-Bayān fī Maqāṣid al-Qur’ān, situating his exegetical position within a maqāṣid al-Qur’ān framework as developed by Maḥmūd Shaltūt. Rather than approaching maintenance solely as a juristic obligation, this article seeks to uncover the ethical and socio-moral rationales underlying Qur’anic injunctions on financial responsibility within marriage. Employing a qualitative, library-based research design, the study conducts a thematic analysis of key Qur’anic passages on maintenance—Qur’ān 2:233, 2:241, 4:5, 4:34, and 65:6–7—drawing on primary sources including the Qur’ān, Fatḥ al-Bayān, and Shaltūt’s Ilā al-Qur’ān, supported by relevant secondary literature in Qur’anic exegesis and Islamic family law. The findings demonstrate that Ṣiddīq Ḥasan Khān conceptualizes maintenance as the husband’s fundamental and continuous responsibility, encompassing provision of food, clothing, and housing in accordance with the husband’s financial capacity and prevailing social norms. This obligation persists under specific circumstances, such as during the ‘iddah period and pregnancy, reflecting a protective orientation toward women’s rights. From a maqāṣid al-Qur’ān perspective, maintenance emerges not merely as a legal prescription but as a moral commitment aimed at upholding justice, sustaining marital harmony, and securing broader social welfare. This study contributes to contemporary Qur’anic family law scholarship by integrating classical exegetical insights with a maqāṣid-oriented reading, offering a more ethically grounded and context-sensitive understanding of spousal maintenance in the Qur’ān.
The Reception of Qur’anic Gratitude in the Kupatan Tradition: A Living Qur’an Perspective
Although Living Qur’an studies have significantly expanded discussions on how Qur’anic values are enacted in Muslim ritual life, the field remains largely dominated by descriptive accounts that treat local traditions primarily as symbolic representations. Such approaches tend to overlook how Qur’anic meanings are actively negotiated, reconfigured, and sustained within communities undergoing social and institutional transformation. Addressing this limitation, the present study examines the reception of Qur’anic gratitude (shukr) in the Kupatan Munggah Gunung Menjuluk tradition as a dynamic and socially embedded religious practice in contemporary Javanese Islam. This study mobilizes the Living Qur’an framework as an analytical tool rather than a descriptive label by integrating it with Karl Mannheim’s sociology of knowledge. Through Mannheim’s tripartite model of meaning—objective, expressive, and documentary—the research investigates how gratitude operates simultaneously as a theological principle, a communal ethic, and a carrier of cultural memory. Drawing on ethnographic methods, including participant observation, in-depth interviews, and symbolic–narrative analysis, the study demonstrates that Qur’anic gratitude is not merely reproduced textually but is selectively articulated through culturally mediated ritual practices. The findings reveal that the Kupatan Munggah Gunung Menjuluk ritual functions as a site of negotiation between Qur’anic authority and local cultural logic, particularly as the practice becomes institutionalized through processes of festivalization. In this context, gratitude is rearticulated in ways that prioritize social cohesion, moral education, and collective identity, while simultaneously reshaping the religious meanings attached to the ritual. Theoretically, this study advances Living Qur’an scholarship by moving beyond ritual description toward an analysis of religious meaning production, and contributes to broader debates in Islamic studies and the anthropology of religion by demonstrating how Qur’anic values operate as living moral resources that are continuously negotiated and reconstituted within culturally mediated religious practices in contemporary Muslim societies.
Hasbi al-Shiddiqie’s Interpretation of Abrogation (Naskh–Mansūkh) in Qur’an 2:106 from a Sociology of Knowledge Perspective
The concept of naskh–mansūkh (abrogation) has long remained one of the most contested issues in ʿUlūm al-Qurʾān, particularly with regard to its methodological legitimacy and epistemological implications in Qur’anic interpretation. This study critically examines the construction of naskh–mansūkh in Hasbi al-Shiddiqie’s interpretation of Qur’an 2:106 in Tafsir an-Nur by employing Karl Mannheim’s sociology of knowledge as its analytical framework. The primary objective of this research is to uncover how the meaning of naskh is produced, negotiated, and reconfigured within the socio-intellectual context of post-independence Indonesia. Adopting a qualitative-descriptive design grounded in library research, the study applies discourse analysis to Qur’anic exegesis, situating the interpretive text within the historical position of the exegete and the dynamics of Islamic intellectual tradition. Primary data are drawn from Tafsir an-Nur, supported by classical exegetical sources, Hasbi al-Shiddiqie’s intellectual writings, and theoretical works on the sociology of knowledge. The findings demonstrate that Hasbi al-Shiddiqie does not conceptualize naskh–mansūkh as the literal annulment of Qur’anic rulings or texts, but rather as a process of contextualization and semantic reconciliation aimed at preserving the enduring normative relevance of revelation. From a Mannheimian perspective, this interpretive stance reflects a pattern of relationism, in which the meaning of naskh emerges through a dialectical engagement between classical exegetical authority and the social demands of modern Indonesian society. This study argues that naskh–mansūkh in Tafsir an-Nur represents a socially situated intellectual construction that embodies an effort toward exegetical reform without undermining the authority of the Qur’anic text. By doing so, the article contributes to Indonesian Qur’anic studies and advances broader discussions on the interplay between interpretation, social context, and epistemic authority in Islamic scholarship.
A Double-Movement Hermeneutic of Qur’anic Healing Verses and Their Relevance to Anxiety Disorders
Studies on the Qur’anic concept of shifāʾ have predominantly emphasized ritual practices and physical healing, leaving its relevance to contemporary psychological disorders—particularly anxiety—largely underexplored. This study re-examines selected shifāʾ verses (Qur’an 9:14–15 and 41:44) through a contextual hermeneutical framework, employing Fazlur Rahman’s double-movement theory to uncover their psychological significance for anxiety management. Adopting a qualitative-descriptive design, the research applies content analysis to reconstruct the historical-moral meanings of the verses and to recontextualize their ethical-spiritual principles within contemporary theories of emotion regulation and cognitive reappraisal. Primary data are drawn from the Qur’anic text and classical as well as modern exegetical works, complemented by contemporary scholarship in Islamic psychology and empirical studies on dhikr and ruqyah practices. The findings indicate that the shifāʾ verses articulate a coherent model of emotional healing, encompassing affective stabilization, spiritual tranquility, psychological resilience, and the release of negative emotional states—dimensions that functionally correspond to core mechanisms of cognitive-behavioral therapy in addressing anxiety. This study proposes an integrative interpretive framework that positions Qur’anic insights as a form of complementary psychospiritual support for mental health, thereby extending the interdisciplinary dialogue between Qur’anic studies, therapeutic practice, and modern psychological approaches.
Salam as Qur’anic Social Ethics: Ahmad Hassan’s Tafsir al-Furqan and the Construction of Muslim Public Morality
Studies on ethical principles in contemporary Qur’anic exegesis hold significant potential for advancing contextual and socially relevant interpretations of the Qur’an. This research provides an in-depth analysis of Ahmad Hassan’s Tafsir Al-Furqan, focusing on the construction of the concept of salam (greeting of peace) and its implications for social ethics in contemporary Muslim communities. The primary aim of this study is to explore how salam is articulated not merely as a ritualized greeting but as an ethical principle emphasizing peace, moderation, and social responsibility. The study employs a qualitative-descriptive approach with thematic-conceptual analysis, examining Qur’anic verses related to salam, documenting Ahmad Hassan’s exegetical interpretations, and situating them within modern socio-religious contexts. Primary data were derived from Tafsir Al-Furqan, supported by secondary sources from global Qur’anic studies, Islamic ethics literature, and social research. Findings indicate that salam in Tafsir Al-Furqan functions as a moral instrument that fosters trust, social solidarity, and harmonious interactions, effectively linking Qur’anic principles with contemporary social practices. The main contribution of this study lies in presenting an exegetical framework that integrates Qur’anic moral guidance with modern social realities, thereby extending the horizon of Qur’anic interpretation toward a more interdisciplinary, dialogical, and socially transformative discourse.