Meaning of The Word Libās in Q.S. Al-Baqarah [2]:187 in Michael Camille Riffaterre’s Semiotics Application

Abstract

The word libās can be found in several surahs of the Qur'an. There are various meanings of the word libās. For this reason, this study aims to discuss the basic concepts of Michael Camille Riffaterre's Semiotics and how to apply the meaning of the word libās in Q.S. Al-Baqarah [2] :187. In this research, the method used by the authors was descriptive analysis, classified into qualitative research, which used library research in the form of books, journals, and articles related to the theme of the discussion. The object in this study was heuristic, hermeneutic, and intertextual reading related to the word libās in Q.S. Al-Baqarah [2]: 187. The results showed the meaning of the word libās in Q.S. Al-Baqarah [2]: 187 in Michael Camille Riffaterre's application of semiotics. The first stage used a heuristic theory, where the word libās was searched for its meaning, both in terms of language and the Arabic term itself. In this heuristic theory, there is an indirectness of expression. At this first stage, the word libās is interpreted as something to wear, clothes, and blankets. The clothes here are something soothing, comfortable, and covering. Through hermeneutics, the second stage was that the word libās is interpreted more deeply, not only in lafdziyah but also in lahiriyah (outwardly). It is as the word libās has a very polite and subtle meaning, namely as wearing, also called intercourse, and clothing that covers, protects, or guards badness (disgrace). The third stage is an intertextual way understood by asbab al-nuzul (the revelation of a verse), which includes a deep meaning; it can be interpreted outwardly as an inner livelihood.