Dynamics Of The Interpretation Of The Qur'an In Javanese: Methods, Interpretation, Ideology, And Genealogy

Abstract

This article examines the dynamics of Javanese-language Qur’anic exegesis by focusing on the styles, methods, and ideologies constructed by the mufassir in their works. Qur’anic interpretation in local languages across the Indonesian archipelago cannot be separated from the dialectical relationship between the sacred text and the socio-cultural context of society. In this regard, Javanese language and script serve not only as a medium of pesantren literacy but also as a marker of Javanese cultural identity. This study employs a qualitative approach through library research, with primary data drawn from Javanese Qur’anic commentaries and secondary data from scholarly works, articles, and books obtained through academic databases such as Google Scholar, Sinta, and Garuda. Data analysis was conducted in three stages: data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The findings indicate three key aspects. First, the exegetical styles of Javanese tafsīr are deeply shaped by their social environment—pesantren, royal courts, and urban centers—resulting in diverse emphases in interpretation. Second, the exegetical methods combine bi al-ma’thūr and bi al-ra’y approaches with local pedagogical practices such as bandongan and communal readings. Third, the ideologies reflected in these works reveal the efforts of Javanese mufassir to preserve the intellectual authority of Islamic scholarship while simultaneously responding to political and cultural realities. This study argues that Javanese Qur’anic exegesis should not merely be regarded as a cultural or linguistic heritage but also as an epistemological space where local traditions negotiate with global Islamic scholarship. The study contributes to broader Qur’anic studies by situating Javanese tafsīr as both a continuation of local intellectual traditions and an adaptive response to the dynamics of Indonesian Islam in a modern context