METHODOLOGY OF QUR'ANIC INTERPRETATION: DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN TAFSIR AND TA'WIL IN CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY ISLAMIC SCHOLARSHIP
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2026
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| author | Dr. Ahmad Farid Al-Hakimi Department of Islamic Studies, International Institute of Religious and Linguistic Research |
| author_facet | Dr. Ahmad Farid Al-Hakimi Department of Islamic Studies, International Institute of Religious and Linguistic Research |
| contents | <p><span lang="EN-US">The interpretation of sacred texts has always been a central concern in religious scholarship, particularly within the Islamic intellectual tradition. Among the key concepts associated with Qur’anic interpretation are <em>Tafsir</em> and <em>Ta’wil</em>, two terms that have often been used interchangeably in popular discourse but possess distinct meanings and methodological implications in classical scholarship. Understanding the difference between these concepts is essential for a comprehensive study of Islamic hermeneutics and the methodology of Qur’anic exegesis. This article examines the theoretical foundations, historical development, and methodological distinctions between <em>Tafsir</em> and <em>Ta’wil</em>. Drawing on classical sources of Islamic scholarship as well as modern academic discussions, the study analyzes how these two interpretative approaches emerged and evolved within the broader framework of Qur’anic sciences (<em>‘Ulum al-Qur’an</em>). The research explores linguistic, theological, and epistemological aspects of interpretation and highlights the roles played by early scholars such as Al-Tabari, Al-Ghazali, and Fakhr al-Din al-Razi in shaping interpretative methodologies. In addition, the article discusses the relevance of these interpretive approaches in contemporary Islamic thought and modern academic research. The findings demonstrate that <em>Tafsir</em> primarily focuses on explaining the apparent meaning of Qur’anic verses based on linguistic, historical, and contextual analysis, whereas <em>Ta’wil</em> involves deeper interpretative reasoning that seeks to uncover underlying or metaphorical meanings. Understanding this distinction contributes significantly to the field of Islamic studies, hermeneutics, and comparative religious scholarship.</span></p> <p><strong><span lang="EN-US">Keywords:</span></strong><span lang="EN-US"> Tafsir, Ta’wil, Qur’anic interpretation, Islamic hermeneutics</span></p> |
| format | Recurso digital |
| id | zenodo_https___doi_org_10_5281_zenodo_19096346 |
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| publishDate | 2026 |
| publisher | Zenodo |
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| spellingShingle | METHODOLOGY OF QUR'ANIC INTERPRETATION: DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN TAFSIR AND TA'WIL IN CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY ISLAMIC SCHOLARSHIP Dr. Ahmad Farid Al-Hakimi Department of Islamic Studies, International Institute of Religious and Linguistic Research <p><span lang="EN-US">The interpretation of sacred texts has always been a central concern in religious scholarship, particularly within the Islamic intellectual tradition. Among the key concepts associated with Qur’anic interpretation are <em>Tafsir</em> and <em>Ta’wil</em>, two terms that have often been used interchangeably in popular discourse but possess distinct meanings and methodological implications in classical scholarship. Understanding the difference between these concepts is essential for a comprehensive study of Islamic hermeneutics and the methodology of Qur’anic exegesis. This article examines the theoretical foundations, historical development, and methodological distinctions between <em>Tafsir</em> and <em>Ta’wil</em>. Drawing on classical sources of Islamic scholarship as well as modern academic discussions, the study analyzes how these two interpretative approaches emerged and evolved within the broader framework of Qur’anic sciences (<em>‘Ulum al-Qur’an</em>). The research explores linguistic, theological, and epistemological aspects of interpretation and highlights the roles played by early scholars such as Al-Tabari, Al-Ghazali, and Fakhr al-Din al-Razi in shaping interpretative methodologies. In addition, the article discusses the relevance of these interpretive approaches in contemporary Islamic thought and modern academic research. The findings demonstrate that <em>Tafsir</em> primarily focuses on explaining the apparent meaning of Qur’anic verses based on linguistic, historical, and contextual analysis, whereas <em>Ta’wil</em> involves deeper interpretative reasoning that seeks to uncover underlying or metaphorical meanings. Understanding this distinction contributes significantly to the field of Islamic studies, hermeneutics, and comparative religious scholarship.</span></p> <p><strong><span lang="EN-US">Keywords:</span></strong><span lang="EN-US"> Tafsir, Ta’wil, Qur’anic interpretation, Islamic hermeneutics</span></p> |
| title | METHODOLOGY OF QUR'ANIC INTERPRETATION: DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN TAFSIR AND TA'WIL IN CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY ISLAMIC SCHOLARSHIP |
| url | https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19096346 |