Points of Convergence and Contextual Limits of the Meaning of Wajh Allah in Qs. Al-Qashash Verse 88
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Interpretations of verses concerning Allah’s attributes often yield different meanings because of differences in exegetical methods and scholars’ intellectual backgrounds, including in the expression wajhu Allah in QS. Al-Qashash verse 88. This study aims to identify points of convergence and variations in the meaning of wajhu Allah in this verse based on tafsir bil ma’tsur and tafsir bil ra’yi, while clarifying the contextual limits on generalizing the findings. The study adopts a qualitative library-research approach and analyzes ten exegetical works as its main corpus: five representing tafsir bil ma’tsur (Tafsir Ibn Abi Hatim, Jami’ al-Bayan, Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Azhim, Ma’alim al-Tanzil, and Ad-Durr al-Mantsur) and five representing tafsir bil ra’yi (Lubab al-Ta’wil, Al-Bahr al-Muhith, Tafsir Al-Jalalain, Irshad al-‘Aql al-Salim, and Ruh al-Ma’ani), using the comparative method (muqaranah). The findings show that most exegetes in both methodological groups tend to interpret illa wajhah as affirming the Everlasting Essence of Allah. The phrase is also interpreted as referring to deeds performed sincerely for Allah, and in some interpretations to Allah’s power and status. This convergence reflects the complementary relationship between transmitted authority and linguistic reasoning, rather than proof that the exegetes share the same theological foundations as a whole. A comparison with al-Tabari’s interpretation of QS. Ar-Rahman verse 27, in which wajh is affirmed as an attribute of Allah, demonstrates that the tendency to interpret the expression as Allah’s Essence and sincere deeds in QS. Al-Qashash verse 88 is context-specific. It cannot be generalized as a rejection of wajh as an attribute of Allah in other verses. This study contributes to thematic Qur’anic exegesis by emphasizing the contextual nature of meaning in Qur’anic expressions
DOI: 10.59944/743746
Language: English
Subfield: Religious studies
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7225636893