Qur’anic Interpretation Journal

Telaah Kritis terhadap Gagasan Kebebasan Manusia dalam Tafsir Surah al-Kahf Ayat 29 Perspektif al-Nasafī

Qoriatun Nafiah — 2025-06-26

This article aims to examine the concept of human freedom in Islamic theology through the interpretation of Surah al-Kahf verse 29, which declares, “Let him who wills believe, and let him who wills disbelieve.” This verse is frequently interpreted by scholars as an affirmation of human free will, yet its theological implications remain the subject of debate. The study focuses on the interpretation of this verse by Abū Ḥafṣ Najm al-Dīn al-Nasafī in his renowned tafsir, Madārik al-Tanzīl wa Ḥaqā’iq al-Ta’wīl, a concise but influential commentary that reflects the Māturīdī theological perspective within Sunni Islam. By employing a descriptive-analytical approach grounded in library research, the article explores al-Nasafī’s nuanced engagement with the tension between divine will and human agency. The findings indicate that, while al-Nasafī presents his views implicitly, his commentary subtly critiques the notion of absolute human freedom and reaffirms the primacy of divine will—without entirely negating human moral responsibility. His balanced theological stance mirrors the mainstream Sunni position that upholds human accountability within the bounds of divine omniscience and will. This study contributes to the field of thematic tafsir by demonstrating how classical exegetical works engage complex theological debates with subtlety and depth, offering enduring insights for contemporary discussions on human freedom in Islam.

Qawm, Ummah, dan Syuʿūb dalam Tafsir al-Qur’an: Basis Teologis Nasionalisme Inklusif di Negara Multikultural

Dini Mardina — 2025-06-28

This study analyzes how the Qur'an and the Prophet’s Hadith perceive love for one’s homeland (ḥubb al-waṭan) and its implications for Muslim loyalty to the modern nation-state, particularly in the context of Indonesia. The research is motivated by persistent suspicions from certain groups regarding the allegiance of Muslims to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). Using a descriptive-analytical method combined with a thematic approach to Qur’anic interpretation (tafsīr mawḍū‘ī), this study draws upon classical and contemporary tafsir literature to examine key terms such as qawm, ummah, and shuʿūb. Although these terms are not directly equivalent to the modern concept of “nation,” they reflect the Islamic view of collective identity and social solidarity. The findings demonstrate that neither the Qur’an nor the Hadith oppose love for one’s homeland; rather, both affirm it as a natural human disposition consistent with Islamic ethical principles. Moreover, the study contends that love for religion and love for country should not be seen as conflicting values, as they operate within different yet complementary spheres. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of the compatibility between Islamic teachings and national identity, challenging misconceptions regarding Muslim disloyalty to the state.

Manuskrip Al-Qur’an Wakaf Asal Aceh: Tinjauan Filologi

Istiqomah Istiqomah — 2025-07-18

This article investigates a Qur’anic manuscript with the catalog code A.646, housed in the National Library of Indonesia. The manuscript originates from Aceh and is analyzed using a philological approach. Despite the abundance of Qur’anic manuscripts in the archipelago, scholarly attention to their materiality and localized scriptural features especially those from Aceh remains limited. This study seeks to fill that gap by providing a detailed analysis of one such underexplored manuscript, thereby contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the region’s Islamic intellectual heritage. The research examines multiple physical and textual features: the manuscript’s structure, paper type, ink, illumination style, and script. It further explores orthographic elements such as rasm, qirāʾāt, diacritics, tajwīd notations, and waqf signs. To situate the manuscript within its broader context, the study also investigates its historical background, particularly the Islamic educational and scribal traditions in 19th-century Aceh. Although visually modest, the manuscript reveals distinctive orthographic elements notably its rare tajwīd and waqf symbol which are almost absent in modern printed Qur’ans. This is the core novelty of the study: the manuscript preserves rare codicological practices that reflect a unique Acehnese interpretation of Qur’anic pedagogy and devotional use. Moreover, the manuscript includes a wakaf note, indicating its communal function and role in devotional life. Despite a few scribal inconsistencies, the manuscript offers rich evidence of Islamic literacy and localized religious expression in the Malay world.

Hakikat Tauhid dalam Al-Ikhlāṣ dan Koreksi Konsep Ketuhanan menurut Al-Simnānī dalam ‘Ayn al-Ḥayāt

Umayyatul Haritsah Maarif — 2025-07-29

Surah Al-Ikhlāṣ serves as a core articulation of monotheistic doctrine in the Qur’an and holds profound spiritual significance within the Sufi tradition. This article explores the Sufi interpretation of Surah Al-Ikhlāṣ in ʿAyn al-Ḥayāt, a seminal work by the 13th-century mystic al-Simnānī. Employing a qualitative approach with textual-hermeneutical analysis, the study investigates the esoteric dimensions of aḥad and Ṣamad as theological concepts that transcend rational monotheism. Instead, they offer a metaphysical foundation for divine transcendence that guides the sālik (spiritual seeker) toward the realization of God. The findings reveal that aḥad is interpreted as the Absolute Divine Essence, beyond comprehension or analogy, while Ṣamad denotes God’s self-sufficiency, reflecting absolute perfection and the ontological dependence of all beings upon Him. These interpretations carry direct implications for spiritual practice, encouraging detachment from worldly ties as a path to pure tawḥīd consciousness. This study contributes to the development of Sufi Qur’anic hermeneutics and opens new perspectives for engaging Qur’anic spirituality in a more transformative and applicable manner within contemporary Islamic thought.