AYAT PERANG DALAM DISKUSI TAFSIR KONTEMPORER : STUDI KOMPARATIF SAIFUDDIN HERLAMBANG DAN MUHAMMAD ABDEL HALEEM

Abstract

The Qur'anic verses on warfare remain one of the most debated topics in contemporary Qur'anic exegesis, as they are frequently interpreted as legitimizing violence and have become a major subject of Orientalist criticism. These divergent interpretations have encouraged contemporary Muslim scholars to reinterpret the war verses in a more contextual and relevant manner. This study aims to analyze and compare the interpretations of Muhammad Abdel Haleem and Saifuddin Herlambang regarding the Qur'anic war verses. This research employs a descriptive-analytical library research method using a comparative approach. Data were collected from the primary works of both scholars and relevant secondary literature and analyzed through content analysis. The findings reveal that Muhammad Abdel Haleem interprets the war verses through a historical-linguistic approach by emphasizing the importance of the historical context of revelation, Arabic linguistic features, and textual coherence to correct misconceptions surrounding jihad and the Sword Verse. In contrast, Saifuddin Herlambang, through his Manhaj Tafsir Maq??id al-L?iqah, emphasizes the objectives of Islamic law (maq??id al-shar?'ah), interpreting the war verses in light of public welfare, protection of life, and the realization of peace. This study concludes that both approaches are complementary rather than contradictory. While Abdel Haleem's approach preserves the original meaning of the text, Herlambang's maq??id-oriented interpretation enables the Qur'an's values to remain relevant as guidance across different times and contexts.