In various tafseer studies, we find many methods of understanding the Qur'an which originated from previous generations of scholars. They have tried to understand the contents of the Al-Qur'an, so that was born what we are familiar with the method of understanding the Al-Qur'an.
Tafseer is the only knowledge that is directly related to the Prophet, because the Prophet has been ordered by Allah SWT. To convey a prophetic treatise as is evident from the 44th verse of Surah An-Nahl: "... ... so that you (Muhammad) can explain to humans anything that was revealed to them".
Because the Qur'an was revealed in Arabic following the rhetoric of the Arabic people, the people of the Prophet's contemporaries understood the meaning of the Qur'anic verse and the situation in which it was transmitted.
The first knowledge that was born among Muslims was the science of interpretation. It becomes possible and comes true due to the scientific nature of the Arabic structure. The knowledge of Al-Qur'an exegesis is important because it really is a science on which the whole structure, objectives, understanding, views and culture of Islam are built.
That is why At-Thabarî (W. 923 AD) considered him to be the most important compared to all knowledge and knowledge. This is the knowledge that Muslims use to understand the meaning and teachings of the holy book Al-Qur'an, its laws and its lessons.
Methods of Understanding the Al-Qur'an and Types
Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazâlî in his book "Dialogue with the Qur'an" divides the method of understanding the Qur'an into two, namely the classical method and the modern method.
a. Classical Methods of Understanding the Qur'an
These studies revolve around efforts to find literary values, fiqh, kalam, their philosophical-sufistic aspects, education, and so on. There are several kinds of trends in the use of the study method carried out by salaf scholars, including theological studies, which are studies that are quite radical and touch on legal issues with the character Asy-Syatibî.
There is also what is called the Sufistic method or study, which examines issues around mental calmness, peace of mind, and sometimes also touches on moral issues and psychological behavior and the relationship with Allah SWT.
There is also a philosophical method with figures such as al-Ghazalî and Ibn Rushd. Although both have been involved in prolonged polemics, it should be remembered that both of them are well-known philosophers and both provide arguments and visions for Islamic thought in their day.
b. Modern Methods of Understanding the Qur'an
According to Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazâlî, there are several studies of the Al-Quran: some use the Atsariyyîn approach or also known as tafsir bil Ma'tsûr. We can see this kind of study in the commentary book of Ibn Kathir. This method was used by Ibn Jarir Ath-Thabarî.
There is also a commentary that specializes in fiqhiyyah which discusses legal verses to conclude the methods of taking law. In other words, it only focuses on syar'ie legal issues.
There is also a dialogical interpretation, as has been done by Ar-Râzî in his interpretation at-Tafsîr al-Kabîr. This interpretation presents many interesting themes, but some of the themes of this interpretation have gone beyond the boundaries of the interpretation itself, which is the reference for most interpreters of the Al-Qur'an.
Az-Zamakhsyarî together with Abû Su'ud and Al-Baidhâwî has its own explanatory style of interpretation.
Source : https://wawasanpengajaran.blogspot.com/2016/10/metode-metode-memahami-al-quran.html
