METHODOLOGY OF QUR’ANIC INTERPRETATION: DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN TAFSIR AND TA’WIL IN CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY ISLAMIC SCHOLARSHIP

Abstract

The interpretation of sacred texts has always been a central concern in religious scholarship, particularly within the Islamic intellectual tradition. Among the key concepts associated with Qur’anic interpretation are Tafsir and Ta’wil, two terms that have often been used interchangeably in popular discourse but possess distinct meanings and methodological implications in classical scholarship. Understanding the difference between these concepts is essential for a comprehensive study of Islamic hermeneutics and the methodology of Qur’anic exegesis. This article examines the theoretical foundations, historical development, and methodological distinctions between Tafsir and Ta’wil. Drawing on classical sources of Islamic scholarship as well as modern academic discussions, the study analyzes how these two interpretative approaches emerged and evolved within the broader framework of Qur’anic sciences (‘Ulum al-Qur’an). The research explores linguistic, theological, and epistemological aspects of interpretation and highlights the roles played by early scholars such as Al-Tabari, Al-Ghazali, and Fakhr al-Din al-Razi in shaping interpretative methodologies. In addition, the article discusses the relevance of these interpretive approaches in contemporary Islamic thought and modern academic research. The findings demonstrate that Tafsir primarily focuses on explaining the apparent meaning of Qur’anic verses based on linguistic, historical, and contextual analysis, whereas Ta’wil involves deeper interpretative reasoning that seeks to uncover underlying or metaphorical meanings. Understanding this distinction contributes significantly to the field of Islamic studies, hermeneutics, and comparative religious scholarship.