Makar dalam Al-Qur’an: Analisis Tafsir Tematik atas Pergeseran Makna dan Relasi Kekuasaan

Abstract

The term makar is one of the Qur’anic concepts that has undergone significant semantic expansion and transformation as it intersects with modern social, political, and legal contexts. This article examines makar in the Qur’an through a thematic tafsīr approach by identifying Qur’anic verses containing the term and comparing interpretations from classical, medieval, and contemporary exegetes. The study employs verse inventory, cross-period tafsīr analysis, and contextual reading to explore the relationship between the meaning of makar and shifting configurations of power. Theoretically, this article contributes to thematic Qur’anic exegesis by conceptualizing makar as a relational and dynamic category that mediates between textual meaning and changing regimes of power, thereby bridging Qur’anic studies with critical analyses of religion and authority. The findings demonstrate that makar in the Qur’an is not a static concept but one that moves from visible physical actions to symbolic and discursive strategies; from personal conflicts between prophets and rulers to structural relations between elites and society; and from specific historical events to broader ethical reflection. The article further argues that attributing makar to God functions as an expression of divine justice that constrains and overturns human ambitions for domination, rather than legitimizing manipulative practices. Consequently, a Qur’anic reading of makar provides a more cautious and reflective conceptual framework for understanding the tensions between religion, law, and power in contemporary Muslim societies.