Problematika Metodologi Tafsiran Metafora dalam Perbincangan Akidah: Analisis Kesilapan Epistemologi Terhadap Isu Tajsīm dan Tashbīh

Methodological Issues in Interpreting Metaphors within Theological Islamic Discourse: An Analysis of Epistemological Errors on The Issue of Tajsīm and Tashbīh

Abstract

This article discusses the methodological challenges in evaluating the theological thought of contemporary Sufi figures, focusing specifically on the critique of a doctoral thesis titled ‘Pemikiran Akidah Shaykh Nāzīm al-Qubrūsī Menurut Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah (The Creedal Thought of Shaykh Nāzīm al-Qubrūsī According to Ahli al-Sunnah Wal Jamaah)’. The central problem identified is the tendency of the thesis’s author to conclude that Shaykh Nazim’s thought contradicts the framework of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah, particularly regarding the issues of tajsīm and tashbīh. This study is significant because Shaykh Nazim’s spiritual order has received official recognition from religious authorities in several Malaysian states, yet allegations of theological deviation persist within academic circles. Employing a qualitative approach through critical textual and discourse analysis, this study re-examines the primary sources attributed to the Shaykh to evaluate the methodological rigor of previous research. The findings reveal significant epistemological errors, including a failure to grasp metaphorical language (majāz), textual distortion, and decontextualization. The study demonstrates that the accusations of tajsīm and tashbīh are inaccurate and stem from a literalist reading of complex mystical texts. Ultimately, this research emphasizes the need for a more holistic and equitable analytical framework when assessing theological-sufi discourse to maintain academic neutrality and avoid premature conclusions.