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The Concept of Ali Abdul Halim Mahmud’s Quranic Education: A Critical Analysis of ‘Fundamentalist’ Exegesis Paradigm

Mahmud Arif

Pertanika Journal of Social Science and Humanities, Volume 28, Issue 4, December 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47836/pjssh.28.4.49

Keywords: Conclusive exegesis, education ideology, God’s feast, the Quran’s perfection

Published on: 24 December 2020

The principle of the Quran’s universal relevance is understood in various ways among scholars. Such principle has led to the emergence of various perspectives. On the one hand, some consider the Quran as an open text that can continuously be reinterpreted, while on the other hand, some consider it as the ultimate book that provides guidance concerning all matters of human life. Given this context, it is of great interest to critically discuss Ali Abdul Halim Mahmud’s views that considered the Quran as a comprehensive source of guidance for addressing the various problems of life as well as a text filled with a myriad of educational prescriptions. This literary study focuses on Mahmud’s exegetic works by applying the holistic method based on a content analysis and a textual investigation. In his works, Mahmud affirmed that the sole solution for Muslims was returning to the guidance of the Quran and the Sunnah. According to him, the Quran serves as the primary source in understanding Islam as a Divine system that is compatible throughout the ages. He had applied two models in elaborating the Qur’anic tenets: (1) selecting a certain surah, and (2) appointing a certain educational topic. Mahmud’s conviction that the perfect Quranic education system exists had prompted him to interpret Quranic verses, in clarifying and conclusive manners. His Quranic interpretation fully contains messages pertaining to morality, da’wah, and social movement in order to revive the glory of the Muslim, but frequently it lacks appreciation for critical-interpretation.

ISSN 0128-7702

e-ISSN 2231-8534

Article ID

JSSH-5509-2019

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