Taqarrub in the perspective of sufi exegesis: a comparative study of haqāʾiq al-tafsīr by abū ʿabd al-raḥmān al-sulamī (d. 412 h) and laṭāʾif al-isyārāt by abū al-qāsim al-qushayrī (d. 465 h)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51468/jpi.v7i2.1065Keywords:
taqarrub , esoteric interpretation, spiritualityAbstract
This research examines the concept of taqarrub (spiritual proximity to God) from the perspective of Sufi exegesis through a comparative study of two monumental works: Haqāʾiq al-Tafsīr by Abū ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Sulamī (d. 412 H) and Laṭāʾif al-Isyārāt by Abū al-Qāsim al-Qusyairī (d. 465 H). Both texts represent the esoteric and spiritual dimension of Qur’anic interpretation, yet they differ in methodological approach and historical context. Al-Sulamī’s work largely compiles fragmentary sayings of early Sufi masters, while al-Qusyairī offers a more systematic exegetical framework grounded in Ashʿarite theology and early Shādhilī practices.Employing a qualitative, library-based method with thematic exegesis (tafsīr mawdhūʿī), this study identifies and analyzes Qur’anic verses related to taqarrub as interpreted by both exegetes. The findings indicate that al-Sulamī emphasizes the experiential and symbolic dimensions of Sufi thought, whereas al-Qusyairī integrates mystical insights with a coherent theological structure, reflecting the intellectual debates of his era. Despite criticism regarding their subjectivity and lack of isnād, both works demonstrate that Sufi exegesis is deeply rooted in Islamic scholarly tradition.The study highlights that these interpretations remain relevant for contemporary Muslims seeking spiritual depth amidst modern rationalism and materialism. By comparing the two tafsirs, this research contributes to bridging the gap between textual-rational exegesis and esoteric-spiritual readings of the Qur’an. Furthermore, it underscores the enduring significance of Sufi hermeneutics in providing inner tranquility, ethical refinement, and a holistic understanding of divine revelation.
References
Al-Asqalani, I. H., & bin Hajar, A. (1984). Tahdzib al-Tahdzib. Juz XII, Beirut: Dar Shadir, 1327.
Al-Dhahabi. (2020). Siyar A‘lām al-Nubalā.’
Creswell, J. W. (2022). Research Design : Qualitative, Quantitative, And Mixed Methods Approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications Ltd.
Emzir, E. (2022). Metodologi penelitian pendidikan: kuantitatif dan kualitatif. Jakarta: Rajawali Pers, 28.
Husein, A. (2020). Al-Qur’an Di Era Gadget: Studi Deskriptif Aplikasi Qur’an Kemenag. Jurnal Studi Al-Qur’an, 16(1), 55–68.
Husna, R. (n.d.). Interpretasi Spiritual dalam Tafsir Isyari: Telaah atas Haqā’iq al-Tafsīr dan Laṭā’if al-Ishārāt. Jurnal Studi Qur’an, 18(2), 145–162. https://doi.org/10.24042/jsq.v18i2.11345
Kementrian Agama, R. I. (2021). Al-Qur’an Transliterasi per Kata dan Terjemah per kata. Bekasi: Cipta Bagus Segara.
Kementrian Agama, R. I. (2022). Al-Qur’an dan Terjemah dilengkapi Panduan WAQAF & IBTIDA’. Jakarta: PT. Suara Agung.
Khairuddin, A. (n.d.). Pemikiran Sufistik al-Qusyairi dan Relevansinya dengan Masyarakat Muslim Kontemporer. Jurnal Tasawuf Nusantara, 5 (1), 55–72. https://doi.org/10.33086/jtn.v5i1.8765
Khalid, A. M. (2020). The Role of Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami in Preserving Qur’anic Recitation. Islamic Studies Journal, 58(2), 201–220.
Knysh, A. D. (1999). Ibn’Arabi in the later Islamic tradition: The making of a polemical image in medieval Islam. Suny Press.
Ma’ruf, M. (2020). Sanad Qira’at dan Peran Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami dalam Transmisi al-Qur’an. Jurnal Ilmu Al-Qur’an Dan Tafsir, 11(2), 155–170.
Moleong, J. (2022). Lexy, Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif Cetakan keduapuluh dua. Bandung: PT Remaja Rosdakarya.
MS, K. S. A. Y. (n.d.). KONSEP TAQARRUB DALAM KUMPULAN PUISI’DERU PERJALANAN.
Nasr, S. H. (2007). Islamic Spirituality: Foundations.
Nasution, M. (2023). Tafsir Sufi dalam Perspektif Historis: Studi atas Haqāiq al-Tafsīr karya Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami. Jurnal Studi Ilmu Al-Qur’an Dan Hadis, 24(2), 155–168.
Nurhayati, N., & Rosadi, K. I. (2022). Determinasi Manajemen Pendidikan Islam: Sistem Pendidikan, Pengelolaan Pendidikan dan Tenaga Pendidikan Islam. International Edition, 3(1), 451–464.
Qushayri, A. (1999). Al-Risalah al-Qushayriyah: A Treatise on Sufism. Islamic Texts Society.
Rahmawati, L. (n.d.). Perbandingan Gaya Tafsir Isyari: al-Sulamī vs al-Qusyairī. Al-Qur’an and Tafsir Studies, 11(3), 211–230. https://doi.org/10.12345/aqts.v11i3.5643
Ri, D. A. (2020). al-Qur’an dan Tafsirnya. Jakarta: Lentera Abadi, 220.
Rifai, A. (2021). Dimensi Esoterik Pemahaman Al-Qur’an: analisis Tafsir Fayd al-Rahman Karya Salih Darat Dalam Surah al-Baqarah.
Saifulloh, M. (n.d.). Eksplorasi Makna Batin dalam Tafsir Sufistik Klasik. Jurnal Ushuluddin Dan Pemikiran Islam, 40 (2), 109–126. https://doi.org/10.14421/jupi.2022.402.109
Sofiudin, M. (2020). TASAWUF ABD AL-RAHMAN AL-SULAMĪ (Perspektif Historis). Jurnal Filsafat Dan Pemikiran Islam, 11(1), 183–205.
Sofiudin, M. (2021). Tasawuf Abd Al-Rahman Al-Sulamī (Perspektif Historis). Refleksi Jurnal Filsafat Dan Pemikiran Islam, 18(2), 183–205.
Sugiyono. (2022). Sugiyono, Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif Kualitatif dan R&D. CV. Alfabeta, Bandung, 25.
Supratiknya, A. (2022). Metodologi penelitian kuantitatif & kualitatif dalam psikologi. universitas Sanata Dharma.
Wahyudi, W. (2020). Tafsir Sufi al-Sulami: Eksotisme Tafsir Bercorak Tasawuf. https://bincangsyariah.com/khazanah/tafsir-as-sulamy-bercorak-tasawuf/.
Walida, D. T. (2025). Tekstualitas dan Kontekstualitas dalam Penafsiran dan Pengaruhnya Bagi Kehidupan Sosial Kemasyarakatan. Journal of Knowledge and Collaboration, 2(2), 468–481.
Welle, J. (2021). A Ṣūfī Apologist of Nīshāpūr: The Life and Thought of Abū ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Sulamī, written by Safaruk Zaman Chowdhury. Arabica, 68(4), 437–442.
Yahya, M., Maulana, M. R., Zulaiha, E., & Komarudin, E. (2022). Karakteristik Tafsir Sufistik Indonesia. Jurnal Iman Dan Spiritualitas, 2(1), 25–34.
Yasin, A. (n.d.). Konsep Isyarah dalam Tafsir Laṭā’if al-Ishārāt. Jurnal Ilmu Al-Qur’an Dan Tafsir, 17 (1), 25–39. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/taf75
Yusofi, R. (n.d.). Between Orthodoxy and Mysticism: Al-Sulami’s Haqqāiq al-Tafsīr Revisited. Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization, 11(1, 45–60.
Zaini, M. (n.d.). Aliran Tasawuf Sunni dan Tradisi Tafsir: Studi atas Karya al-Qusyairi dan al-Sulamī. Al-Hikmah: Journal of Islamic Thought, 23(2), 150–165. https://doi.org/10.21580/hikmah.2022.23.2.11321
Zaki, F. (2021). Reevaluating Sufi Tafsir: A Study on Al-Luma’ and Its Impact. Journal of Islamic Studies, 34(2), 215-230.
Zarkasyi, H. (n.d.). Klasifikasi Tafsir Sufistik dan Relevansi Metode al-Qusyairi. Tsaqafah. Jurnal Peradaban Islam, 16 (1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.21111/tsaqafah.v16i1.4885
Zulaeha, E., & Dikron, M. (2020). Qira’at Abu ‘Amr Dan Validitasnya. Prodi S2 Studi Agama-Agama UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung.
