Interpretasi Komparatif Ta’wīl Sufi Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī dan Ibn ‘Arabī terhadap Ayat-ayat al-Qur’ān

Abstract

This article presents a study of ta’wÄ«l promulgated by two prominent Sufis, namely AbÅ« ḤÄmid al-GhazÄlÄ« and Ibn ‘ArabÄ«. Although both use the ta’wÄ«l method of explaining the Qur’anic verses, they are different in terms of “the school†they embrace to. When al-Ghazali belongs to the Sunni Sufi category, Ibn ‘ArabÄ« is a representation of the NaẓarÄ« FalsafÄ« Sufi. In their ta’wÄ«l both Sufis employ symbols as a medium to understanding. In al-GhazÄlī’s perspective, symbols are the most appropriate method to explain the meaning obtained through kashf. As for Ibn ‘ArabÄ«, the symbol is a method of solving and breaking down the ultimate reality associated with the basic concepts of truth, nature, and man. The symbolic language framework can be known only by certain people who have a clean and pure heart. In interpreting the Qur’Än, Ibn ‘ArabÄ« and al-GhazÄlÄ« belong to the category of those who use symbolism interpretation approach; interpreting the Qur’anic verses which are incompatible with the extrinsic meaning of the texts but with their abstract symbols.