Tahlili cum Maudhū'ī Paradigm in Tafsir Tanwir Muhammadiyah: Methodological Integration in Contemporary Qur'anic Interpretation

Abstract

Purpose – This study examines the emergence of Tafsir Tanwir Muhammadiyah within the development of contemporary Qur’anic exegesis in Indonesia, particularly as a response to the need for an interpretive methodology that reconciles textual fidelity with contextual relevance. It aims to analyze the integrative tahlīlī-cum-mawḍū‘ī paradigm employed in Tafsir Tanwir, focusing on its conceptual foundations, methodological structure, and contributions to contemporary Qur’anic studies. Design/methodology/approach – This study adopts a qualitative library-based research design using descriptive-analytical methods. Primary data are drawn from Tafsir Tanwir Muhammadiyah, while secondary sources include classical and modern tafsir literature and recent scholarly works on Qur’anic interpretation. The analysis examines the interpretive framework, methodological integration, and epistemological foundations underlying the tahlīlī-cum-mawḍū‘ī approach. Findings – The findings reveal that Tafsir Tanwir successfully synthesizes the sequential textual analysis of the tahlīlī method with the thematic and problem-oriented orientation of the mawḍū‘ī method, producing an interpretive model that is systematic, comprehensive, and contextually responsive. This methodological integration is reinforced by the combined application of bayānī, burhānī, and ‘irfānī epistemologies, enabling the interpretation to preserve textual authority while engaging contemporary scientific knowledge and social realities. As a result, the paradigm offers a balanced approach that bridges classical exegetical traditions with modern intellectual and societal concerns. Research implications/limitations – The study is limited to the methodological analysis of Tafsir Tanwir and does not evaluate its practical implementation across specific thematic issues. Future studies may compare this paradigm with other contemporary Indonesian or global Qur’anic interpretive models and assess its application in addressing contemporary socio-religious challenges. Originality/value – This study contributes to contemporary Qur’anic hermeneutics by conceptualizing the tahlīlī-cum-mawḍū‘ī paradigm as an innovative integrative methodology rather than a simple combination of two interpretive methods. It demonstrates how Tafsir Tanwir advances a holistic, epistemologically grounded model that enhances the practical relevance of the Qur’an in responding to modern social, ethical, and intellectual challenges.