The Approach of Interpretation Implemented by Hamka in Tafsir Al-Azhar Based on Scientific Exegesis

Abstract

Al-Quran is a sacred scripture of Islam. It is guidance for Muslims, containing not only the principles of the religion, but incites the development of intellectual as well as natural sciences. Modern Muslim scholars have developed a new methodology of the Quran exegesis known as tafsir al-?ilm?. This method is a scientific approach that focuses on commentaries of the Quran terminologies. In addition, this method is also defined as a form of commentary that applies modern sciences to interprete the verses of the Quran. Tafsir al-Azhar, written by Haji Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah (HAMKA), is a modern Malay commentary of the Quran which applies the scientific approach to the Quran exegesis. This commentary has been vastly refered to by the Malay readers for its exhibits multi-disciplinary approach. This study aims at i) collecting all the interpreted al-kawniyyah verses in the commentary, ii) arranging the verses according to the chapters of the Quran, and iii) analysing the approach of interpretation applied by Hamka. This study applies document analysis approach. The findings exhibit a total of 400 al-kawniyyah verses; 298 of which interpreted by HAMKA within seven approaches of interpretation.