The Methodology of Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz in the Interpretation of Surah Al-Ikhlas: An Analytical Study

This study examines the methodology employed by Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz in his interpretation of surah Al-Ikhlas. Nik Abdul Aziz is widely known as "Tuan Guru or Tok Guru" (Master of Scholars) and is regarded as one of the most prominent Malaysian scholars (ulama’) in the field of Qur’anic exegesis (tafsir). Thus, his contribution is substantial and demand continual initiatives to preserve this scholarship. Concurrently, regarding an effort to retain this tradition, Alim Rabbani Media Sdn. Bhd has published a manuscript entitled Projek Tafsir Al-Quran Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat. The publication of the manuscript represents a continuation of the series of Tafsir publications that emerged in the 1990s. The transcription of the manuscript is derived from recorded audio of his Friday weekly lectures. The transcription is presented in the Kelantanese dialect to facilitate comprehension of the content by the reader. This study is a qualitative in nature by adopting deductive content analysis techniques. The analytical method is adopted to analyze Tuan Guru's methodology employed in the interpretation of surah al-Ikhlas. The findings show, Tuan Guru has adopted both methodologies of Qur’anic interpretation: 1) the interpretation based on tradition (al-Tafsir bi al-Ma’thur) in explaining the verses of the Qur'an by Qur'an, and the Qur'an by Sunnah; and 2) the interpretation based on rationality (al-Tafsir bi al-Ra’yi) in interpreting the Qur’anic verses with various examples, metaphors, and analogies to facilitate understanding among the audience especially among Malay Muslim community.