The Usage of Interpretation Methodology of Ambiguous Verses in the Ancestors’s Exegesis

Abstract

The interpretation of these ambiguous verses has been a longstanding issue that commenced during the time of the Prophet’s companions, continued through the successors and the three generations, and persists into the contemporary century. A variety of deviant factions emerged, causing confusion and error within the Muslim community, particularly regarding the proofs for the nature of ambiguous passages found in the Qur’an and hadith. Early scholars were noted for not interpreting ambiguous sources, indicating that tafsir exegetes, such as Imam Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, who lived during that period, refrained from such interpretations. Likewise, Imam Ibn Kathir adopted the method of his ancestor. To determine the extent of accountability for the allegations regarding the matter, a thorough review of their tafsir books should be conducted to provide an answer. Therefore, this journal article will analyse the book of Tafsir al-Thabari, titled Jami’ al-Bayan an Ta’wil fi al-Quran, and the book of Tafsir Ibn Kathir, titled Tafsir Al-Quran Al-’Azim, focusing on ambiguous verses and whether they require interpretation or vice versa. A qualitative study was conducted to examine this phenomenon. The study observed that scholars from earlier generations, including Imam Tabari, and those who follow traditional methodologies, like Imam Ibn Kathir, often use affirmation and relegation methods. Some of these scholars also employ succinct interpretation techniques. Therefore, the claim that states the ancestor scholars do not interpret ambiguous verses needs to be thoroughly researched to ensure its accuracy.

Keywords: Ancestor; interpretation; ambiguous; Tafsir al-Tabari; Tafsir Ibn Kathir

ABSTRAK

Persoalan mengenai takwilan ayat-ayat bersifat mutasyabihat ini merupakan isu lama yang bermula pada zaman para sahabat, tabiin, tabi’ tabiin dan ia berlarutan sehingga ke abad kontemporari ini. Muncul pelbagai firqah yang menyeleweng sehingga menimbulkan kekeliruan dan kesesatan dalam kalangan masyarakat Islam, khususmya berkaitan ayat-ayat bersifat mutasyabihat yang terdapat di dalam al-Quran dan hadis. Ulama salaf dikatakan tidak mentakwil ayat-ayat mutasyabihat, ini menunjukkan ulama tafsir seperti Imam Ibn Jarir Thabari yang hidup pada zaman tersebut tidak melakukan takwilan terhadap ayat-ayat mutasyabihat. Sejauh manakah dakwaan mengenai perkara itu boleh dipertanggungjawabkan, maka semakan terhadap kitab tafsir beliau perlu dilakukan bagi menjawab persoalan tersebut. Justeru itu, artikel jurnal ini akan melakukan analisis terhadap kitab tafsir Thabari, yang bertajuk Jami’ al-Bayan an Ta’wil fi al-Quran menumpukan kepada ayat-ayat mutasyabihat samaada beliau melakukan takwilan atau sebaliknya. Kajian kualitatif dilakukan bagi melakukan kajian ini, hasil daripada kajian ini mendapati bahawa ulama salaf seperti Imam Thabari cenderung melakukan metod secara ithbad wa tafwid dan ada sebahagiannya beliau melakukan metod takwil secara ijmali. Jadi dakwaan yang menyatakan bahawa ulama salaf tidak melakukan takwil kepada ayat-ayat mutasyabihat perlu diteliti dengan menyeluruh untuk memastikan bahawa ia betul atau sebaliknya.

Kata kunci: Salaf; takwil; mutasyabihat; Tafsir al-Thabari; Tafsir Ibn Kathir