Epistemology of Transdisciplinary Qur’anic Exegesis: Integrating Islamic Philosophy and Contemporary Hermeneutics in Understanding the Qur’an

Abstract

This research aims to formulate a model of transdisciplinary Qur’anic exegesis epistemology that integrates the principles of classical Islamic philosophy with contemporary hermeneutics approaches in understanding the Qur’an. For centuries, exegetical studies have tended to be divided between the traditional textual style and the rational-contextual modern approach. This study seeks to bridge this dichotomy by conceptually examining the contributions of Muslim philosophers such as Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, and Mulla Sadra within the epistemological framework of knowledge, and connecting them with the philosophical hermeneutics theories of Hans-Georg Gadamer and Paul Ricoeur. Through a qualitative-analytical approach to primary and secondary literature, this research finds that the transdisciplinary exegesis epistemology emphasizes the importance of dialogue among the text, reason, and the reader's socio-cultural context. The results indicate that the integration of Islamic philosophy and modern hermeneutics can broaden the horizon of exegetical understanding from mere textual interpretation towards a dynamic signification that aligns with the development of science and contemporary human realities. Thus, this model potentially serves as a new paradigm in Qur’anic exegesis studies that is more reflective, rational, and humanistic.