Zainur Rozikin

Multimodal Analysis of the Term "Star" in the Qur'an on Agus Mustofa's YouTube Channel

Introduction

Multimodal analysis of the term "star" in the qur'an on agus mustofa's youtube channel. Multimodal analysis of Qur'anic "star" terms on Agus Mustofa's YouTube. Reveals distinct meanings: al-kawkab (planet), an-najm (star), al-buruj (galaxy), al-misbah (meteor), al-khunnas (black hole).

Abstract

The concept of "star" in the Qur'an presents a complex natural phenomenon expressed through five distinct terms, yet Indonesian translations often conflate these into a single term, "bintang-bintang," which risks misunderstanding. This study addresses this issue by examining Agus Mustofa’s interpretation of these terms on his YouTube channel, focusing on how visual and multimodal elements contribute to his discourse. Previous research has largely overlooked the interplay between religious terminology and digital visual media, creating a gap this study aims to fill. The research problem centers on how Agus Mustofa interprets and conveys the term "star" within the Qur'an using multimodal discourse. Conducted qualitatively with a netnographic approach, the study analyzes digital cultural traces from Agus Mustofa’s videos. Data collection involved reviewing his video content, while multimodal discourse analysis examined language alongside visuals, symbolism, gestures, music, and sound, based on Kress and van Leeuwen’s theory. Findings reveal that Agus Mustofa distinguishes al-kawkab as planet, an-najm as star, al-buruj as star clusters and galaxies, al-misbah as meteor showers, and al-khunnas as black holes or neutron stars. This research recommends further exploration of religious multimedia interpretations and encourages expanding multimodal frameworks in digital religious studies.

Review

This paper, "Multimodal Analysis of the Term 'Star' in the Qur'an on Agus Mustofa's YouTube Channel," presents an intriguing and timely investigation into the nuanced interpretation of celestial terms in the Qur'an. It effectively addresses a significant problem where five distinct Arabic terms relating to "star" are often conflated into a single term in Indonesian translations, potentially leading to misunderstanding. The study's core contribution lies in its innovative application of a multimodal discourse analysis, grounded in Kress and van Leeuwen’s theory, to the digital content of Agus Mustofa's YouTube channel, thus filling a recognized gap in scholarship concerning the interplay between religious terminology and digital visual media. The strength of this work lies in its innovative methodological deployment and the clear articulation of its research problem. The potential for theological and scientific misunderstanding arising from simplified translations is a crucial issue, and the study effectively demonstrates how a popular online figure addresses this complexity. The application of multimodal discourse analysis—encompassing language, visuals, symbolism, gestures, music, and sound—to a religious vlogger’s content is particularly commendable, offering a fresh perspective on how religious knowledge is constructed and disseminated in contemporary digital spaces. The specific findings, detailing Mustofa’s differentiation of *al-kawkab* as planet, *an-najm* as star, *al-buruj* as star clusters and galaxies, *al-misbah* as meteor showers, and *al-khunnas* as black holes or neutron stars, provide valuable insights into both Qur'anic exegesis and the pedagogy of digital religious discourse. While the study makes a compelling case for the utility of multimodal analysis in digital religious studies, further development could enhance its impact. For instance, exploring the *reception* of these multimodal interpretations by Mustofa's audience, or a comparative analysis with other scholarly or popular interpretations, might provide a richer understanding of the broader implications of his discourse. Additionally, a deeper theoretical engagement with the *epistemological implications* of presenting complex religious-scientific concepts through a popular digital medium would be beneficial. Nevertheless, this research represents a valuable contribution to the interdisciplinary fields of religious studies, digital media, and linguistics, offering a robust framework for understanding the evolving landscape of religious communication and interpretation online. It opens promising avenues for future exploration, particularly in advancing multimodal frameworks within this domain.

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