The Sociological Approach in Qur’anic Interpretation

A Comparative Study of Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd’s Social Hermeneutics and Kuntowijoyo’s Prophetic Social Science

Abstract

Purpose – This article aims to examine the sociological approach in Qur’anic interpretation through a comparative study between Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd’s social hermeneutics and Kuntowijoyo’s Prophetic Social Science. This study is motivated by the development of contemporary Qur’anic interpretation that seeks to connect the Qur’anic text with the social realities of modern society in order to maintain the relevance of Qur’anic values in addressing humanitarian issues. Methods This research employs a library research method with a descriptive-comparative approach through the analysis of the works of Abu Zayd, Kuntowijoyo, and other relevant literature on contemporary social interpretation. Findings – The findings show that Abu Zayd emphasizes historical, linguistic, and social approaches through the concepts of ma‘na and maghza to produce a contextual and critical understanding of the text, while Kuntowijoyo offers the paradigm of Prophetic Social Science based on humanization, liberation, and transcendence as the foundation for social transformation. In the analysis of Surah al-Ma‘un, both thinkers criticize formalistic religiosity that neglects social justice, although they differ in their methodological orientation. Abu Zayd focuses more on the epistemological aspect of understanding the text, whereas Kuntowijoyo emphasizes the objectification of Qur’anic values into social praxis. Research limitations – This study is limited to a conceptual analysis and does not address the empirical implementation of these two approaches in society. Originality/value – This article contributes to contemporary Qur’anic studies by demonstrating that Abu Zayd’s hermeneutics and Kuntowijoyo’s Prophetic Social Science can complement one another in constructing a critical, humanistic, and transformative model of social interpretation of the Qur’an.