The Development of Interpretation Styles in Qur’anic Exegesis

Abstract

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the development of various interpretative styles in the exegesis of the Qur’an. It addresses research questions related to the historical roots of the emergence and diversity of interpretative styles and the various approaches scholars employ in interpreting the Qur’an from the classical to the modern-contemporary periods. This study is necessary because Qur’anic exegesis represents the intellectual endeavour of understanding the various explanations of the Qur’anic verses as the word of Allah SWT — Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala (Glorified and Exalted Be He). Explanations of the Qur’an initially came directly from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), followed by the companions, the successors (tabi’in), the successors of the successors (tabi’ut tabi’in), and various groups and sects that emerged after that, up to the present time. This development also coincided with the spread of Islam across different regions, accompanied by the advancement of knowledge and the emergence of various schools of thought and philosophical perspectives. This paper employs a qualitative method with literature analysis. The results of the literature analysis indicate that the historical roots of the emergence and diversity of interpretative styles, as well as the various approaches used by scholars in interpreting the Qur’an from the classical to the modern-contemporary periods, emerged alongside the development of knowledge, the spread of Islamic teachings, and the rise of various Islamic schools of thought. This eventually gave rise to various interpretative styles, such as linguistic (lughawi), philosophical (falsafi), scientific (‘ilmi), jurisprudential (fiqh), mystical or Sufi (tasawuf), educational (tarbawi), theological (i’tiqadi or kalam), rhetorical and explicative (balaghi and bayani), and revolutionary (haraki) styles.