ETHICS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PARENTS TOWARDS EARLY CHILDHOOD IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE QUR'AN: A STUDY OF THE TAFSIR MAFATIH AL-GHAIB BY FAKHRUDDIN AR-RAZI

Abstract

Parental communication plays a crucial role in shaping early childhood language, emotional development, character, and interpersonal relationships. Although Qur’anic communication ethics have been widely discussed, the interpretation of Fakhruddin al-Razi’s Mafātīḥ al-Ghaib has rarely been integrated systematically with the developmental needs of early childhood. Previous studies have either examined Qur’anic communication ethics generally, focused on family communication, or analyzed parent–child communication through a limited set of verses. This study aims to analyze the six qaulan principles in Mafātīḥ al-Ghaib and synthesize their relevance as an ethical framework for parent–child communication in early childhood. This qualitative study employs library research with a philosophical-tafsiri approach. Data were drawn primarily from the Qur’an and al-Razi’s Mafātīḥ al-Ghaib, while relevant studies on Islamic communication and early childhood development were used for contextual synthesis. Data were collected through identification and contextual selection of qaulan verses, followed by systematic examination of al-Razi’s interpretation. The data were analyzed through tafsir-oriented content analysis involving reduction, categorization, interpretation, and conceptual synthesis. The findings indicate that qaulan sadidan, balighan, kariman, maisura, layyinan, and ma’rufan represent complementary dimensions of ethical communication concerning message content, recipient, and delivery. The synthesis produces a recipient-centered communication framework that positions children as recipients whose developmental capacity and dignity must be considered. The study contributes a contextual Qur’anic framework for developing responsive Islamic parenting practices.