Evolusi Sejarah Penafsiran Al-Qur’an: Perkembangan, Kontribusi, dan Pengaruhnya terhadap Pemahaman Keislaman dari Masa ke Masa

Abstract

The science of tafsir (interpretation) is a branch of knowledge aimed at understanding the meaning and content of the Qur'an in a comprehensive and accurate way. Qur'anic interpretation began in the time of the Prophet Muhammad when he received revelation from Allah and subsequently explained the meaning of certain verses to his companions. At times, the companions would ask about the meaning of specific verses, and the Prophet would respond with clarification. After the Prophet’s passing, the development of tafsir continued with the companions, the tabi'in (successors), and into the present day, using methods based on the Qur'an, Hadith, and Ijtihad (independent reasoning). Linguistically, the term "tafsir" derives from the root tafsirah, originally referring to a small amount of water used by a doctor as a sample. Through this observation, the doctor could identify the patient’s illness. Similarly, a mufassir (interpreter) reveals the intricacies of verses, stories, meanings, and contexts of revelation.