Šeḫ Muḥammad Aršad al-Banjarī and the Application of Critical Theological Interpretations to Local Traditions in Banjar Region, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract It is undeniable that Religion and tradition have been a highly discussed discourse from the past up to the present day. Interpretation of the Qurʾan is one essential aspect of religion that serves not only as a way of understanding its doctrines, but also as a media controlling local beliefs and practices. This article is aimed at analyzing Šeḫ Muḥammad Aršad’s interpretation of theology-verses quoted to support his theological ideas in his Tuḥfat al-Rāġibīn. Employing trans-disciplinary approaches consisting of Quran interpretation as distinction between interpretation (tafsīr) and application (taṭbīq), and post-colonial criticism of the high-low tradition category, it concludes that first, Šeḫ Aršad’s treatment of the Qurʾanic verses does not prove that he freely interpreted the Qurʾan the way he wanted, but he applied the given verse-interpretation, and this method constitutes a partial interpretation of theology-verses; second, that such use interpretation method, in his perceived innovations, coupled by his position in the Sultanate of Banjar, was projected to purify, the perspective of Ahl al-Sunna wa-l-Jamāʾa, from some local traditions, such as manyanggar banua and mambuang pasilih.