Interpreting the Qur’anic Text: A Review of al-Mawdudi’s Manhaj in Tafhim al-Qur’an
https://doi.org/10.56225/jmsc.v4i1.416
Keywords:
Maududi, Tafhim al-Qur’an, Maududi, Tafhim al-Qur’an, Jamaat-i-Islami, metodologi tafsir, Method of ExegesisAbstract
This study critically examines the exegetical principles (usul al-tafsir) employed by Abul A‘la al-Mawdudi (1903–1979) in his Tafhim al-Qur’an (Towards Understanding the Qur’an). It analyzes the hermeneutical method he formulated and its intrinsic relationship to his socio-political milieu, addressing a critical gap in scholarship that often prioritizes his political ideology over a systematic analysis of his interpretive methodology. Employing a qualitative design, this research conducts a close textual and content analysis of Tafhim al-Qur’an itself, scrutinizing its structure, thematic choices, doctrinal arguments, and rhetorical style. The findings reveal that al-Mawdudi crafted a nuanced synthesis of traditional and contemporary approaches. He consistently grounded his commentary in classical authoritative sources (tafsir bi'l-ma'thur) while employing reasoned independent judgment (tafsir bi'l-ra'y) to render the text immediately relevant to modern concerns. This balance resulted in a compelling puritanical and argumentative exegesis, designed to provide an original, in-depth, and application-oriented understanding of the Qur’an. The study concludes that al-Mawdudi’s work represents a significant modern hermeneutic model that navigates the tension between tradition and contextualization, offering a framework for understanding how modern ideological movements engage with and interpret foundational religious texts.
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