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Tafsir and Politics in Indonesia During the New Order Era: The Dialectic of Religious Texts and Power in an Authoritarian Regime Maulana, Aldi Rifki; Safrudin, Ramadhan; Komarudin, Edi; Rohmana, Jajang A; Tarek Yalouli
JIA (Jurnal Ilmu Agama) Vol 27 No 1 (2026): Jurnal Ilmu Agama : Mengkaji Doktrin, Pemikiran, dan Fenomena Agama
Publisher : Fakultas Ushuluddin dan Pemikiran Islam Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Fatah Palembang

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.19109/jia.v27i1.33849

Abstract

This study aims to examine the dialectical relationship between Qur’anic exegesis and political authority during the New Order era in Indonesia. Studies on Qur’anic exegesis in Indonesia have largely highlighted the influence of the socio-political context on the interpretive process. However, systematic studies that map the diverse responses of exegetical works to political power within a specific authoritarian regime remain relatively limited. Using a qualitative library research method with a descriptive-analytical approach, the study analyzes three representative Indonesian commentaries: Al-Qur’an dan Tafsirnya, published by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Al-Huda by Bakri Syahid, and Dalam Cahaya Al-Qur’an by Syu‘bah Asa. The analysis employs Islah Gusmian’s typology of tafsir: silent tafsir, cosmetic tafsir, and critical tafsir combined with two analytical paradigms: the instrumentalization of tafsir and the actualization of divine values. The findings show that Qur’anic interpretation during the New Order reflects a spectrum of responses to political power, ranging from the depoliticization of Qur’anic verses that support political stability, the incorporation of state ideological language into religious discourse, to the articulation of ethical criticism toward authoritarian practices. These patterns demonstrate that tafsir functions as a contested discursive arena where religious meaning is negotiated within structures of power. Theoretically, this article extends Gusmian’s typology by proposing a relational and hybrid perspective of political tafsir, highlighting that Qur’anic interpretation may simultaneously accommodate and critique power depending on the socio-political position of the exegete. This study contributes to contemporary Qur’anic studies by offering a conceptual framework for understanding tafsir as a dynamic practice shaped by ongoing negotiations between revelation, authority, and socio-political context in modern Muslim societies.
Co-Authors adhia nugraha Ahmad Aqiel Azkiya’ Ahmad Asep Fathurrohman Ahmad, Nurwadjah Akhmad Sobarna Alijaya, Adudin Ananda Rizky Maulana Apriani, Laelati Dwina Aryanto, Redi Asep Ahmad Fathurrohman Asep Ahmad Fathurrohman Baehaqi Dayudin, Dayudin Dedi Junaedi Dedi Supriadi Dedi Supriadi Deuis Sugaryamah, Deuis Dyan Fachri Maulana Fangesty, Maolidya Asri Siwi Fathurrohman, Asep Ahmad Fatimah, Nisa Fauzi, Muhamad Faiz Al Fitri Meliani, Fitri Fitriana Lubis, Mumun Fitriansyah, Muhammad Bayu Fuad Salim Habibah Hidayah, Asep Taopik Ice Sariyati Ihin Solihin Ilma Amalia Ilma Amalia, Ilma Imam, Jahira Salsabila Nurul Irfan Nurzaman Jahira Salsabila Nurul Imam Jajang A Rohmana Kafiyah, Fitroh Ni'matul Kafiyah, Fitroh Ni’matul Kodir, Abdul Kodir, Abdul - Kusuma, Dwiki Laelani, Lilih Lu'lu Abdullah Afifi Maolidya Asri Siwi Fangesty Mardiansyah, Yadi Maulana, Aldi Rifki Mohammad Irfan Farraz Haecal Muh. Asriadi AM Muhamad Hamdan Tauviqillaah Muhamad Khabib Imdad Muhamad Yoga Firdaus Muhamamd Nurhasan Muhammad Abdul Aziz Muhammad Arif Muhammad Bayu Fitriansyah Muhammad Hasan Ali Muhammad Nur Hidayat Muhammad Nurhasan Muhammad Rijal Maulana Muhammad Yahya Muhammad Yahya Munawar, Zacky Yudin Nida Husna Abdul Malik Nisa Fatimah Nur Afiffah, Syifa Nurdin, Aldi Nurhayat, Tasya Putri Nursidik, Ihsan Purwa, Dyas Rahayu, Tami Dewi Puspa Ramadhan Syaeful Bahri Revky Oktavian Sakti Riyani, Irma Rizal, Rony Muhammad Rizki Maulana Putra Rohanda Rohanda Safrudin, Ramadhan Salsabila, Syifa Satia SAPTANADI YUDISTIRA Sholikul Hadi Siti Nurhaliza Sudjatnika, Tenny Suryana Alfathah Syam, Ishmatul Karimah Syawaluddin, Fauzan Akbar Syifa Satia Salsabila Tarek Yalouli Taufik, Wildan Taufiq, Wildan Wahyuni, Neneng Sri Wildan Taufik Wildan Taufiq Yusanti, Noviana Zikro Elok Al Faein Zulaiha, Eni