Approaches to the Qur'an in Contemporary Indonesia (Book report)
The title is a book in the Quranic field, edited by Abdullah Saeed and published by Oxford University Press in association with the Institute of Ismaili Studies as one of the Qur'anic Studies Series. The following is a report of the book.[1]
Overview
• The first comprehensive collection of Qur'an related essays by Indonesian scholars in the English language
• An introduction to current issues and debates from a variety of perspectives
Description
This compilation presents, for the first time, a range of essays in English by Muslim intellectuals exploring a variety of approaches to the Qur'an in contemporary Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country. The eleven essays come from established and emerging scholars and address topics such as new methods of approaching the Qur'an, Islamic law reform, human rights, inter-faith relations, the struggle by women for equal rights, and the use or misuse of Qur'anic symbols. They reflect the interests and approaches of a new generation of Indonesian Muslim scholars who seek guidance from the religious texts within a contemporary context. The writings represent a creative effort to project new ideas and to affirm that Islam and the Qur'an are in a broad sense compatible with the aspirations of Indonesian Muslims today.
Table of Contents
1.:Introduction: the Qur'an, interpretation and the Indonesian context, Abdullah Saeed interpretation and the Indonesian context
2.:Qur'anic exegesis in the Malay world with particular reference to Indonesia, Anthony H. Johns
3.:The methodology of Itafsir and access to the Qur'an, Dawam Rahardjo
4.:Il-Ta'wil al-'ilmi: towards a transformation of the interpretation paradigm for holy texts, M. Amin Abdullah
5.:A contextual approach to the Qur'an, Taufik Adnan Amal and Samsu Rizal Panggabean
6.:Hamka's method in interpreting legal verses of the Qur'an, Milhan Yusuf
7.:Purposive exegesis: a study of Quraish Shihab's thematic interpretation of the Qur'an, Kusmana and Muhammadiyah Amin
8.:Sacred and profane law in the Indonesian context: the case of the bequest vase, Ratno Lukito
9.:The Indonesian Muslim women's movement and the issue of polygamy: the Aisyiyah interpretation of Qur'an 4:3 and 4:129, Ro'fah Mudzakir
10.:Abortion and the Qur'an: need for reinterpretation in Indonesia?, Lies Marcoes-Natsir
11.:Zakãt, an ethicalconcept of taxation and the state: a reinterpretation of the third pillar of Islam, Masdar Farid Mas'udi
12.:Interpreting the Qur'anic principle of pluralism and peace, Nurcholish Madjid
13. The use and abuse of Qur'anic verses in contemporary Indonesian politics:, Azyumardi Azra
14. Controversy around H.B. Jassin: a study of his Al-Quranu'l Karim Bacaan Mulia and al-Qur'an al-Karim Berwajah Puisi:, Yusuf Rahman
Author Information
Edited by Abdullah Saeed, Sultan of Oman Professor of Arab and Islamic Studies and Director of the Centre for the Study of Contemporary Islam, University of Melbourne
Contributors
Abdullah Saeed
Dawam Rahardjo
Milhan Yusuf
Kusmana and Muhammadiyah Amin
M. Amin Abdullah
Ratno Lukito
K. H. Ibrahim Hosen Ro'fah
Masdar Farid Mas'udi
Yusuf Rahman
Nurcholish Madjid
Azymurdi Azra
Abuddin Nata
Reviews and Awards
"Lucidly written and judiciously selected, the eleven chapters of this book make an invaluable contribution to studies of contemporary Islamic thought in general, and to Indonesian studies in particular." - Osman Bakar, Professor of Islamic Thought and Civilization, International Islamic University of Malaysia, and Senior Fellow, Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University
"this fine book sets out authoritatively and clearly a variety of understandings and interpretations which reflect the dynamism that underpins Indonesian Islam today." - M. C. Ricklefs, Visiting Professor, National University of Singapore; Adjunct Professor, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University; Honorary Professor, Monash University
"Saeed must be congratulated for putting a book together which delivers a well-balanced overall picture of the many facets of Qur'anic studies in Indonesia." - Holger Warnk, Asien - The German Journal on Contemporary Asia, No. 104
"...aptly described by the editor...'to make available to the English-speaking audience a sample of writings on Qur'an-related topics by intellectuals from the world's most populous Muslim country...and by a range of Indonesian authors'." - Muhammad Zainiy Uthman, Journal of Islamic Studies, Vol. 18, No. 3