The Dynamism of the Social Literary and Hermeneutical Streams in Qurʾanic Classical and Modern Exegesis Studies

Among the Qurʾanic exegesis streams that have emerged due to social changes and current developments in human civilisation, such as [specific social changes and developments], are the social literary (tafsīr al-adabī al-ijtimāʿī) stream and the hermeneutic. Both streams have their framework, phase, and factor from the time of their emergence and have their position in the method of Qurʾanic exegesis. This study discusses these two streams as a central debate in line with the historical and philosophical correlation of the evolution from classical to modern interpretations from various perspectives and in the context of the Islamic and Western world. This qualitative study used library research and comparative study on the social literary stream and hermeneutic, supported by other related written materials. The study finds that the social literary stream and hermeneutics differ in origin and methodology. The social literary stream is an interpretation that discusses Qurʾanic verses with the aesthetic value of language literature and its correlation with the elements of society. It can solve problems, counter hostility towards Islam, and treat diseases that exist in society with the guidance of the Qurʾan. Hermeneutic is a method of interpreting or expressing meaning in a text, originally referring to the Bible, originated from Greek mythology, which then developed in Christian culture and is now beginning to influence the
method of interpreting the Quran. It is unsuitable for interpreting the Qurʾan because it would raise doubts (skepticism and relativism) about the equation of the Qurʾanic text with ordinary texts.