The Qur’anic Exegesis in Bugis Language: Locality and Universality in Daud Ismail’s interpretation

oleh: Sulaiman Ibrahim;

This study argues that the more localized interpretation the easier for ordinary people to understand the intent and purpose of the Qur’an. Form of interpretation that utilizes the language of local community facilitates more access to the Qur'an in terms of comprehension and implementation.

This is evidenced by the Qur’anic exegesis by Daud Ismail who presented the arrangement and style of interpretation by using Bugis language which is more easily accepted and understood by Bugis community. This was a response to the fact that many Qur’anic interpretation mostly uses Arabic language that contains technical terms related to science of balaghah, nah}wu, s}arf, that sometimes confuses the readers who are not familiar with Arabic and Qur’anic science.

This dissertation confirms the argument of Muh}ammad al-Fa>dil ibn ‘A<shu>r in al-Tafsi>r wa Rijāluhu>, that an explanation or interpretation of the Qur’an should uses a language which is easily understood by the community. Indeed, this is in accord with the verse: وماأرسلناك من رسول إلا بلسان قومهم ليبين لهم.

This research is a qualitative one by using interpretive approach. The main source of this dissertation is based on Daud Ismail’s Tafsīr al-Munīr. In attempt to analyze the methodology aspect, it draws on several books of ‘Ulūm al-Qur'an and interpretation (tafsi>r), be it classic or modern one. The data is analyzed with standard interpretation science (‘ilm tafsir) that comprises interpretation method and content analysis. This study uses discourse analysis theory to understand the interpretation while employing interpretation approach to analyze the existing data.