The Epistemology of Javanese Qur’anic Exegesis: A Study of Ṣāliḥ Darat’s Fayḍ al-Raḥmān

Abstract

This article seeks to analyse the structure of the epistemology of Fayḍ al-Raḥmān, a Javanese Qur'anic-exegetical work by Ṣāliḥ Darat, a prominent Javanese ulama in the nineteenth century. It is the only Javanese Qur 'anicexegetical work (kitāb al-tafsīr) with the Sufi-esoteric interpretation (al-tafsīr al-ṣūfi al-ishārī). Yet, there has not been research discussing its epistemology of interpretation whereas it is significant to grasp its fundamental structure of thought. Employing historical-philosophical approach, this article argues that Fayḍ al-Raḥmān's exegesis reflect the illuminative epistemology ('irfāni) by which Ṣāliḥ Darat does not only explain the textual meaning (al-ma'nā al-ẓāhir) but also the esoteric meaning (al-ma'nā al-ishārī) of the Qur'an. In Ṣāliḥ Darat's view, the relation of the two resembles the relation between spirit and body that cannot be separated. The esoteric interpretation thus constitutes revealing inner meanings of the Qur'an. According to Ṣāliḥ Darat, the ideal interpretation is to grasp both the textual and esoteric meaning of the

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