A Review of the Use of Analogy in Tafsir Al-Azhar Through Surah Al-Fatihah

Analogy is a vital tool in pedagogy and hermeneutics, enabling abstract concepts to be communicated through familiar images. In Qur’anic exegesis, HAMKA’s Tafsir al-Azhar is distinctive for its consistent use of analogical reasoning, particularly in Surah al-Fatihah. The main problem this study addresses is how to bridge the gap between the Qur’an’s profound theological teachings—such as divine mercy (rahmah), servitude (‘ubudiyyah), and divine displeasure (ghadab)—and the comprehension of a modern Malay-Nusantara audience. Using a qualitative, descriptive-analytical approach, the study identifies and interprets analogies in HAMKA’s tafsir, following the manhaj tahlili (verse-by-verse method) and al-adabi al-ijtima‘i (literary-social) style. Six analogies were highlighted: electricity and water, showing neglect of blessings until loss; a mother hen and her chicks, symbolizing sacrificial compassion; a pair of birds, representing shared responsibility; HAMKA’s account of his father’s affection for a cat, underscoring mercy in domestic life; misplaced gratitude in Iyyaka na‘budu wa iyyaka nasta‘in, warning against associating others with God; and the royal court suicide tale,
dramatizing the severity of divine wrath. The findings show that HAMKA’s analogies are deliberate hermeneutical and pedagogical devices, making scripture both accessible and relevant. His approach affirms fidelity to revelation while ensuring contextual resonance, situating him as both exegete and educator.