Scientific exegesis in Tafsir al-Mishbah: M. Quraish Shihab’s use of scientific explanation in interpreting kawniyah verses

Rizki Firmansyah (Universitas Ahmad Dahlan)
Erik Tauvani Somae (Universitas Ahmad Dahlan)
M. Nurdin Zuhdi (Universitas Aisyiyah Yogyakarta)
Abur Hamdi Usman (Universitas Islam Selangor)

Referensi Islamika: Jurnal Studi Islam
Vol. 4 No. 4 (2026): AUGUST

This study aims to determine and describe the model of scientific interpretation in Tafsir al-Mishbah by M. Quraish Shihab. It seeks to explore the extent to which Shihab interprets āyāt kawniyyah (cosmological verses) through scientific references, especially regarding the purpose of scientific interpretation and the sources he employs. Although Shihab often states his disagreement with scientific exegesis, his commentary paradoxically incorporates scientific concepts, making this research significant in clarifying his nuanced position. The study employs a qualitative approach with a textual focus on Shihab’s Tafsir al-Mishbah. Primary data consists of Shihab’s own exegesis, while secondary data is drawn from scholarly journals discussing scientific interpretation and al-Mishbah. The analysis centers on Shihab’s interpretive strategies, his references, and his methodological stance toward scientific exegesis. The research finds that although Shihab explicitly rejects scientific exegesis (tafsīr ‘ilmī) as an independent or primary method, elements of it are nonetheless present in his interpretation, particularly in cosmological verses. He frequently draws upon references such as Tafsīr al-Muntakhab, which are uncommon in Indonesian tafsir, thereby enriching his commentary. His approach demonstrates that scientific exegesis can serve as reinforcement of exegetical understanding rather than as its main objective. The study concludes that Shihab’s selective incorporation of scientific exegesis highlights both the potential and limitations of this approach in contemporary Qur’anic interpretation. It implies that future development of scientific exegesis in Indonesia should be pursued thematically to ensure coherence and relevance, while avoiding speculative reliance on unstable scientific theories. The originality of this research lies in its systematic analysis of Shihab’s model of scientific exegesis, moving beyond descriptive categorization to evaluate his methodological strengths and weaknesses, and offering new insights into how scientific interpretation can be responsibly integrated into Qur’anic hermeneutics.