Al-Bantānī and the Interpretation of Ṣifāt verses in Marāḥ Labīd.

Bibliographic Details
Title: Al-Bantānī and the Interpretation of Ṣifāt verses in Marāḥ Labīd.
Authors: Muhammad Noor, Umar1, Usman, Abur Hamdi2 aburhamdi@kuis.edu.my
Source: Hervormde Teologiese Studies. 2023, Vol. 79 Issue 2, p1-8. 8p.
Subject Terms: *GOD, *ANTHROPOMORPHIC dummies, *WAHHABIYAH, *FOLKLORE, *DISCOURSE
Abstract: This article examines the stance held by a Meccan-Indonesian exegete in the 13 AH or 19 AD century, Muḥammad Nawawī al-Bantānī (d. 1230–1314 H/1813–1897 AD), in dealing with Ṣifāt verses in his exegetical work, Marāḥ Labīd li Kashf Ma'nā al-Qur'ān al-Majīd. As an established term, Ṣifāt verses refer to Quranic expressions that ostensibly ascribe anthropomorphic dimensions to God. Interpretation of such ambiguous verses has been bitterly contended since the 2/8th century and remains one of the most debated topics in the pre- and postmodern era. This study applies literature and document analysis focused on many of al-Bantānī's works. The results show that al-Bantānī actively applied ta'wīl [figurative interpretation] in dealing with Ṣifāt verses without totally discarding amodality position [ tafwīḍ ]. Contribution: Although al-Bantānī never mentioned Wahhabism in any of his works, his interpretation of Ṣifat verses alludes to his indirect response to the Wahhabi's literalism and anti- ta'wīl approach. In addition, by accepting both of ta'wīl and tafwīḍ solutions, al-Bantānī underpinned the wasaṭī [moderate] stand, which later became the most distinctive tradition in Malay–Islamic discourse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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ISSN:02599422
DOI:10.4102/hts.v79i2.7661
Published in:Hervormde Teologiese Studies
Language:English