Fathur Rozi, Abdul Hamid Majid

Kebebasan Beragama dalam Literatur Tafsir bi Al-Ma'tsur

Introduction

Kebebasan beragama dalam literatur tafsir bi al-ma'tsur. Telusuri kebebasan beragama dalam tafsir bi al-ma'tsur oleh Thabari, Ibn Kathir, dan al-Suyuti. Analisis ayat Al-Quran yang menegaskan hak individu memilih keyakinan mereka.

Abstract

Beliefs (religion) are closely related to an individual's spiritual experience and cannot be imposed by anyone. The issue becomes different when the position of religion shifts from being private to entering the public sphere, making the choice of religion no longer an absolute fundamental right but subject to control, often leading to "threats" as religious conversion is considered a crime. Ultimately, practicing religion is no longer based on sincerity but rather coercion. In this study, the author limits the examination to the interpretation of bil ma'tsur written by three figures: Ibn Jarir al-Thabari, Abu al-Fida’ Ibn Kathir, and Jalaluddin al-Suyuti. The focus of the study is the tendency of bil ma'tsur interpretation in explaining verses about religious freedom related to theological categories in the religious tradition studied through literature review using content analysis techniques. The approach used is a comparative approach, aiming to portray the interpretations given by Thabari, Ibn Kathir, and al-Suyuti on verses about religious freedom. The research results show that there are four verses that share similarities in affirming the principle of religious freedom, emphasizing that every individual has the freedom to choose and believe in their religion. These four verses are Al-Baqarah verse 256, Yunus verse 99, Al-Kahfi verse 29, and Al-Kafirun verse 6. According to the views of al-Thabari, Ibn Kathir, and al-Suyuti, these verses convey an important message about respecting religious freedom and recognizing the right of every individual to choose their own beliefs, while emphasizing the values of truth and steadfastness in faith

Review

This study embarks on a highly pertinent and timely examination of religious freedom within the rich tradition of *tafsir bi al-ma'tsur*. The abstract effectively highlights the critical contemporary issue of religious freedom being compromised when faith shifts from a private spiritual experience to a public domain, leading to coercion and the criminalization of conversion. By focusing on the foundational interpretations of Ibn Jarir al-Thabari, Abu al-Fida’ Ibn Kathir, and Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, the paper promises to offer a crucial historical and theological grounding for understanding Islamic perspectives on this fundamental human right. The chosen area of inquiry is not only academically significant but also socially imperative, providing a valuable contribution to ongoing discourses on tolerance and interfaith relations. The methodological approach, combining literature review, content analysis, and a comparative framework, appears sound for addressing the stated objectives. The selection of al-Thabari, Ibn Kathir, and al-Suyuti is particularly commendable, as these figures represent authoritative voices within the *tafsir bi al-ma'tsur* tradition, ensuring a robust and historically grounded analysis. The identification of four specific Qur'anic verses (Al-Baqarah 256, Yunus 99, Al-Kahfi 29, and Al-Kafirun 6) as central to the discussion on religious freedom provides a clear and focused scope for the content analysis. This precise delimitation of sources and verses is a strength, suggesting a well-structured investigation into the interpretive tendencies of these prominent exegetes. The research findings, as summarized, indicate a consensus among the chosen *mufassirin* on the principle of religious freedom, emphasizing an individual's right to choose and believe in their religion, while also conveying "the values of truth and steadfastness in faith." While this affirmation of religious freedom is a significant outcome, the abstract could benefit from a clearer articulation of how "theological categories" are specifically engaged in the analysis and what nuanced implications arise from the simultaneous emphasis on individual freedom *and* the values of truth and steadfastness. A deeper exploration of how these exegetes reconcile or balance these potentially complementary yet distinct concepts would enrich the study. Future iterations might also consider a brief discussion of the historical context in which these interpretations emerged, which could further illuminate their relevance to contemporary challenges concerning religious freedom.

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