Validation of Indonesian Qur’anic Exegesis on Isrā’ Mi‘rāj

A Comparative Study of Tafsir Ilmi Kemenag and Agus Purwanto’s Nalar Ayat-Ayat Semesta

Abstract

The difference in the ambition of sanctification is evident in the validation of the Isrā’ Mi‘rāj event between Tafsir Ilmi Kemenag and Nalar Ayat-Ayat Semesta, written by Agus Purwanto. Both share the same interpretive orientation but arrive at different conclusions in interpreting the events of Isrā’ Mi‘rāj. This study aims to analyze and elucidate the validation patterns and epistemological reasoning employed in Tafsir Ilmi Kemenag and Nalar Ayat-Ayat Semesta. This study employs a qualitative approach using a descriptive-comparative design to compare these two works. The research was analyzed using content analysis techniques with ‘Ābid al-Jābirī’s epistemological reasoning typology as the analytical framework. The analysis focuses on how both works construct their arguments to validate the Isrā’ Mi‘rāj event, as well as their tendencies in employing bayānī and burhānī resoning. The research results show the use of the same epistemological reasoning, namely bayānī and burhānī, but what distinguishes the two is their proportion. As for the presentation of the validation model, there are several differences and similarities, such as the choice of surahs cited and the scientific theories used by both authors. Meanwhile, when viewed from the perspectives of linguistic analysis and the depth of sanctification, Nalar Ayat-Ayat Semesta demonstrates greater depth than Tafsir Ilmi Kemenag. The validation patterns identified in both works have implications for a shift in the understanding of the Isrā’ Mi‘rāj, accompanied by a shift in epistemic authority from bayānī reasoning to burhānī reasoning.

References

Abdulfatah, Fikri, Muh Fathoni Hasyim, and Fahrur Razi. 2024. “Analisis Reproduksi Makna Isra’ Mi’raj dalam Tafsir Ilmi Kemenag RI Perspektif Hermeneutika Schleiermacher.” Alhamra Jurnal Studi Islam, November 29, 171–85. https://doi.org/10.30595/ajsi.v5i2.22133.

Alkhadafi, Rahmad. 2024. “Epistemologi Filsafat Islam.” JMPI: Jurnal Manajemen, Pendidikan dan Pemikiran Islam 2 (1): 34–41. https://doi.org/10.71305/jmpi.v2i1.48.

Anhar, Putri Maydi Arofatun, Imron Sadewo, and M. Khoirul Hadi Al-Asy Ari. 2018. “Tafsir Ilmi: Studi Metode Penafsiran Berbasis Ilmu Pengetahuan Pada Tafsir Kemenag.” Prosiding Konferensi Integrasi Interkoneksi Islam dan Sains 1 (October): 109–13.

Arifin, Misbakhul, Musyarrofah Musyarrofah, and Abd Kholid. 2024. “The Polemic of Isra’ Mi’raj in the Perspective of Mu’tazilite and Sunni Tafsir: A Comparative Study of Al-Kasshaf and Al-Kabir.” Jurnal Fuaduna : Jurnal Kajian Keagamaan dan Kemasyarakatan 8 (2): 150–67. https://doi.org/10.30983/fuaduna.v8i2.9099.

Arifin, Muhammad Patri. 2023. “Applied Science dalam Wacana Tafsir Ilmi.” Al-Munir: Jurnal Studi Ilmu Al-Qur’an dan Tafsir 5 (1): 1–42. https://doi.org/10.24239/al-munir.v5i1.279.

Asnawi, Aqdi Rofiq, Syukron Affani, and Zaenatul Hakamah. 2021. “Scientific Qur’anic Exegesis in Indonesia: Contributions by Scholars, Institutions, and the Government.” Australian Journal of Islamic Studies 6 (4): 25–46. https://doi.org/10.55831/ajis.v6i4.401.

Ayun, Nida Qurrotan, and Intan Wijayanti. 2024. “Relativitas Waktu Ditinjau dari Kisah-Kisah dalam Al-Qur’an (Studi Komparatif Tafsir Ibnu Katsir dan Tafsir Al-Munir).” FIRDAUS: Jurnal Keislaman, Pemikiran Islam, dan Living Qur’an 3 (01): 42–56. https://doi.org/10.62589/iat.v3i01.289.

Azeez, Ismail Adaramola Abdul, and Muhammad Afifuddin. 2025. “The Story of Isra’ Mi’raj Prophet Muhammad in the Perspective of Science.” Rihlah Review: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam 3 (02): 11–20. https://doi.org/10.37850/rihlah.v3i02.1061.

Azizi, Afruzah Binti Ahmad, and Ros Aiza Binti Mohd Mokhtar. 2022. “Pandangan Orientalis Tentang Mukjizat Nabi Muhammad SAW Serta Respon Sarjana Muslim Mengenainya.” Paper presented at E-Prosiding Seminar Antarabangsa Falsafah, Tamadun, Etika dan Turath Islami (i-STET) 2022. https://oarep.usim.edu.my/handle/123456789/18340.

Bahri, M. Syaeful. 2022. “Relasi Agama dan Sains dalam Tafsir Ilmi Kementerian Agama RI.” Thesis, Institut PTIQ Jakarta. https://repository.ptiq.ac.id/id/eprint/922/.

Bakar, Osman. 2024. “The Qur’ān’s Opening Chapter: Its Epistemological Significance for Scientific Exegesis.” Al-Shajarah Journal of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC) 29 (2): 247–98. https://doi.org/10.31436/shajarah.v29i2.1968.

Celina, Fitria Mercyta, and Nadi Suprapto. 2020. “Study of Relativity Theory of Einstein: The Story of Ashabul Kahf and Isra’ Mi’raj.” Studies in Philosophy of Science and Education 1 (3): 118–26. https://doi.org/10.46627/sipose.v1i3.48.

Dhahabī, Muḥammad Ḥusayn al-. 1995. Al-Tafsīr wa al-Mufassirūn. Vol. 2. Maktabah Wahbah.

Fadilah, Aisyah, Kiki Rizki Nurzakiyah, Nasywa Atha Kanya, Sulis Putri Hidayat, and Usep Setiawan. 2023. “Pengertian Media, Tujuan, Fungsi, Manfaat dan Urgensi Media Pembelajaran.” Journal of Student Research 1 (2): 01–17. https://doi.org/10.55606/jsr.v1i2.938.

Faishol, M. 2013. “Struktur Nalar Arab-Islam Menurut ‘Âbid Al-Jâbirî.” Religió Jurnal Studi Agama-Agama 3 (2): 155–86. https://doi.org/10.15642/religio.

HS, Alwi Muhammad Alwi, and Teti Fatimah. 2020. “Tren Pemikiran Tafsir Al-Qur’an Di Indonesia: Antara Perkembangan dan Pergeseran.” HERMENEUTIK: Jurnal Ilmu al-Qur’an dan Tafsir 14 (1): 129–40. https://doi.org/10.21043/hermeneutik.v14i1.6773.

Irfani, Muhammad, Muhammad Ikhwan Habibi, and Muhammad Rifqiyansyah. 2025. “Methods of Interpretation: Epistemological Views of Bayani, Burhani, and Irfani.” INTIHA: Islamic Education Journal 2 (2): 273–84. https://doi.org/10.58988/intiha.v2i2.334.

Jābirī, Muḥammad ‘Ābid al-. 2003. Formasi Nalar Arab: Kritik Tradisi Menuju Pembebasan Dan Pluralitas Wacana Interreligius. Translated by Imam Khoiri. IRCiSoD.

Jawharī, Ṭanṭāwī al-. 1932. Al-Jawāhir fī Tafsīr al-Qur’ān al-Karīm. Vol. 1. Muṣṭafā al-Bābī al-Ḥalabī wa Awlāduhu.

Julianto, Teguh Arafah, Tharekh Era Elraisy, Nurul Hasanah, Hasyim Haddade, and Hamka Ilyas. 2025. “Tafsir Tematik Ilmu Pengetahuan Integrasi Ilmu Murni dalam Tafsir Ilmi; Tinjauan Atas Tafsir Kementerian Agama.” P@RAD!GMA: Jurnal Kajian Budaya & Media 2 (03): 24–40.

Lajnah Pentashihan Mushaf Al-Qur’an. 2013. “Kisah Isra Mikraj Nabi Muhammad dan Waktu.” In Waktu dalam Perspektif Al-Qur’an dan Sains. Lajnah Pentashihan Mushaf Al-Qur’an.

Mohd, Nor Syamimi, Haziyah Husin, and Wan Nasyrudin Wan Abdullah. 2017. “Pendefinisian Semula Istilah Tafsir ‘Ilmi Redefinition of the Term Tafsir ‘Ilmi (Scientific Exegesis of al-Qur’an).” Islamiyyat: The International Journal of Islamic Studies 38 (2): 149–54.

Muchlisin, Annas Rolli, and Khairun Nisa. 2017. “Geliat Tafsir ‘Ilmi di Indonesia dari Tafsir Al-Nur hingga Tafsir Salman.” Millati: Journal of Islamic Studies and Humanities 2 (2): 239–57. https://doi.org/10.18326/mlt.v2i2.239-257.

Musalam, Akhyak, and Ngainun Naim. 2026. “Epistemologi Bayani, Burhani, Irfani Dalam Integrasi Keilmuan.” As-Sulthan Journal of Education 3 (1): 327–39.

Muzakki, Muhammad Asgar. 2023. “Dimensi Sains dalam Peristiwa Isra Mi’raj (Studi Tematik Corak ‘Ilmy).” AL ISNAD: Journal of Indonesian Hadith Studies 4 (2): 168–74. https://doi.org/10.51875/fmck9v42.

Noer, Zikri, and Indri Dayana. 2021. Teori Relativitas. Guepedia.

Noor, Ahmad Yunus Mohd, Zetty Nurzuliana Rashed, and Asmilyia Mohd Mokhtar. 2022. “The Intellect of Abū Hāmid Al-Ghazālī in Dealing with the Qur’anic Scientific Exegesis.” Islamiyyat: The International Journal of Islamic Studies 44 (0): 123–32.

Nugroho, Yulius Setyo. 2024. “Pengetahuan Dan Kebenaran: Membincang Karakteristik Epistemologi Barat Dan Epistemologi Timur.” Aradha: Journal of Divinity, Peace and Conflict Studies 4 (2): 103–22. https://doi.org/10.21460/aradha.2024.42.1327.

Nurhayati, Nurhayati. 2025. “Epistemologi Tafsir Ilmi dalam Tafsir al-Muntakhab.” ALSYS Jurnal Keislaman dan Ilmu Pendidikan (Nusa Tenggara Barat) 6 (1): 336–58. https://doi.org/10.58578/alsys.v6i1.8551.

Nuryadin, Muhamad. 2022. “Peristiwa Isra’ Mi’raj Nabi Muhammad SAW dalam Tinjauan Konsep Teleportasi dan Lintas Dimensi.” MOMENTUM: Jurnal Sosial dan Keagamaan 11 (1): 1–23. https://doi.org/10.58472/mmt.v11i1.90.

Pranajaya, Syatria Adymas, Firdaus M. Yunus, Muhammad Ikhwan, Syarifaturrahmatullah, and Afif Alfiyanto. 2023. “Burhani Epistemological Order as a Scientific Construction of Islamic Education.” International Journal of Education, Language, and Social Science 1 (2): 144–56. https://doi.org/10.62612/ijelass.v1i2.26.

Purwanto, Agus. 2015. Nalar Ayat-Ayat Semesta: Menjadikan Al-Qur’an sebagai Basis Konstruksi Ilmu Pengetahuan. PT Mizan Pustaka.

Putra, Rizki Maulana, Wanda Jawhariyah, and Edi Komarudin. 2024. “Dinamika Perkembangan Tafsir ‘Ilmi di Indonesia.” Malay Studies: History, Culture and Civilization 3 (2): 57–66. https://doi.org/10.30631/malay.v3i2.2863.

Qadafy, Mu’ammar Zayn. 2019. “Qur’anic Exegesis for Commoners: A Thematic Sketch of Non-Academic Tafsīr Works in Indonesia.” Studia Islamika 26 (2): 247–76. https://doi.org/10.15408/sdi.v26i2.8144.

Rizki, Hawalida, and Aulia Arianti. 2024. “Konsep Relativitas Ruang dan Waktu dalam Al-Qur’an.” Religion: Jurnal Agama, Sosial, dan Budaya 3 (3): 416–27. https://doi.org/10.68352/religion.v3i3.1024.

Sabella, Dina, Fauzan Saleh, and Emma Rahmawati. 2024. “Time and Space Structure of Isra’ Mi’raj in the Perspective of Tafsir, Relativity Theory, and Annihilation Theory.” LISAN AL-HAL: Jurnal Pengembangan Pemikiran dan Kebudayaan 18 (2): 183–95. https://doi.org/10.35316/lisanalhal.v18i2.183-195.

Shabriyah, Nabila Shema, and Miski Miski. 2023. “Tafsir Ilmi Versus Tafsir Ilmi: Ants in Scientific Interpretation Discourses.” Dialogia 21 (1): 218–34. https://doi.org/10.21154/dialogia.v21i1.5982.

Shaltūt, Maḥmūd. 2004. Tafsīr al-Qur’ān al-Karīm: al-Ajzā’ al-‘Asharah al-Ūlā. Dār al-Shurūq.

Shihab, M. Quraish. 2007. Membumikan Al-Qur’an: Fungsi dan Peran Wahyu dalam Kehidupan Masyarakat. Mizan Pustaka.

Suliaman, Ishak, Nur Wasitah Azmi, Norazam Khair Mohd Ithnin, and Mohamad Khalid Bahrudin. 2022. “Trend of Presenters on the Ḥadīth of Al-Isrāʾ Wa al-Miʿrāj and Netizens’ Reflections in Selected Youtube Talks.” Al-Bayan: Journal of Qur’an and Hadith Studies 20 (3): 350–80. https://doi.org/10.1163/22321969-12340119.

Ulliyah, Anggun Khafidhotul, Eva Nur Aulia, Muhammad Azka Waradana Ikhsan, et al. 2024. “Perbedaan Epistemologi Bayani, Irfani dan Burhani dalam Pemikiran Islam.” Revorma: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Pemikiran 4 (1): 33–44. https://doi.org/10.62825/revorma.v4i1.96.

Ummatun, Nurul. 2015. “Pemikiran Islamisasi Ilmu Pengetahuan Agus Purwanto dalam Buku Ayat-Ayat Semesta dan Nalar Ayat-Ayat Semesta.” Thesis, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta. https://eprints.ums.ac.id/33216/.

Walid, Kholid Al, Mohsen Miri, Syamsul Rijal, Cipta Bakti Gama, and Nurul Ain Norman. 2025. “Irfānī Epistemology and Indonesian Islam from Jabiri’s Fragmentation to Neo-Sadra’s Integration: An Islamic Philosophical Approach.” Ulumuna 28 (2): 738–68.

Yusuf, Mohamad Yasin, Sutrisno, and Kawardi. 2017. “Epistemologi Sains Islam Perspektif Agus Purwanto.” Analisis: Jurnal Studi Keislaman 17 (1): 65–90. https://doi.org/10.24042/ajsk.v17i1.898.

Zakaria, Aceng. 2019. “Studi Analisis Peristiwa Isra’ Mi’raj Nabi Muhammad Menurut Al-Qur’an dan Hadits.” Al-Tadabbur: Jurnal Ilmu Al-Qur’an dan Tafsir 4 (01): 99–112. https://doi.org/10.30868/at.v4i01.428.