Prof Quraish Shihab: Benahi Hati, Baca Alam Raya | Endgame #112 (Luminaries)

Gita Wirjawan・2 minutes read

Doctor Quraish Shihab discusses his educational journey and emphasizes the importance of interpreting texts based on their historical context and behaviors based on sincerity, advocating for a deeper understanding of religious teachings beyond reason and the transformative power of reading. He highlights the role of reason in interpreting religious teachings, emphasizing the need for adapting reasoning to current times and the importance of experts providing new interpretations to align with societal conditions.

Insights

  • Quraish Shihab stresses the significance of understanding historical context when interpreting texts and the importance of sincerity when interpreting behaviors, emphasizing the need to consider the time a text was written.
  • Reason is deemed essential in religious teachings, with the analogy of religious guidance being likened to the sun, requiring the "sunglasses" of reason to see clearly without being overwhelmed. The adaptation of reasoning to current circumstances, the role of experts in reinterpreting religious teachings, and the emphasis on openness to science and knowledge are vital aspects discussed in the text.

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Recent questions

  • What is the significance of knowledge in Islam?

    Knowledge is crucial in Islam for enhancing faith, Islam, and ihsan. Doctor Quraish Shihab emphasizes that knowledge is the key to understanding religious teachings and improving oneself. He suggests that setting an example, increasing knowledge, and justifying beyond reason are essential steps in enhancing one's faith and practice of Islam. By advocating for a reading culture from childhood and highlighting the transformative power of reading, he underscores the importance of knowledge in Islam as a means to restore its glory and promote understanding and tolerance.

  • How does Islam view reasoning in religious teachings?

    Islam values reasoning in interpreting religious teachings. Doctor Quraish Shihab discusses the importance of reason in understanding and applying religious guidance. He references Imam Ghazali's analogy of religious guidance being like the sun, requiring sunglasses (reason) to see clearly without being dazzled. The expression "There is no religion without reason" underscores the significance of reason in interpreting and adapting religious teachings to current times. Reason is seen as essential in evolving legal provisions and ensuring that religious teachings remain relevant and applicable in different societal conditions.

  • What role does moderation play in Islam?

    Moderation, known as wasathiyah in Islam, is crucial for balancing extremes and ensuring appropriateness in actions and speech. Doctor Quraish Shihab highlights the importance of moderation in Islam as a way to avoid extremes and maintain a balanced approach in all aspects of life. By advocating for moderation, he emphasizes the significance of avoiding excesses and finding a middle ground in behavior and communication. Wasathiyah serves as a guiding principle in Islam to promote harmony, understanding, and balance in individual and societal interactions.

  • How does Islam encourage tolerance and diversity?

    Islam promotes tolerance and diversity by emphasizing the importance of embracing differences and practicing forgiveness in relationships. Doctor Quraish Shihab discusses the need for individuals to focus on commonalities rather than differences, encouraging unity as Muslims and Indonesians rather than emphasizing sectarian distinctions. By highlighting the value of tolerance and diversity in Islam, he contrasts human tendencies towards demands and labels with the teachings of Islam that prioritize understanding, forgiveness, and acceptance of diversity among individuals.

  • Why is reading culture important in Islam?

    Cultivating a reading culture is essential in Islam for increasing knowledge, awareness, and limiting negative activities. Doctor Quraish Shihab stresses the transformative power of reading and advocates for parents to lead by example in exposing children to books from a young age. By encouraging reading as a means of self-improvement and knowledge acquisition, he underscores the role of reading in enhancing religiosity and education among young people. Reading extensively can lead to understanding, knowledge, and the ability to use knowledge appropriately, aligning with the Prophet's emphasis on reading as a key to civilization in Islam.

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Summary

00:00

Journey of Islamic Scholar Quraish Shihab

  • Doctor Quraish Shihab, an Islamic scholar and contemporary interpreter, shares his journey from South Sulawesi to Malang and then to Cairo, driven by his parents' emphasis on education and his father's influence as a professor in Al-Quran Tafsir.
  • In 1956, he pursued education at an Islamic boarding school in Malang and later secured a scholarship to Al Azhar in Cairo in 1958, where he progressed from junior high to Doctoral level studies over 13 years.
  • Upon returning to Indonesia in 1972, he taught in Makassar but was urged by his parents to obtain his Doctorate degree before settling back, leading him to return to Cairo.
  • Quraish Shihab highlights the distinction between interpreting texts based on historical context and interpreting behaviors based on sincerity, emphasizing the importance of understanding the time a text was written.
  • He elaborates on the three core teachings in Islam - faith, Islam, and ihsan - derived from a hadith of the Prophet, emphasizing faith as a heart-based justification beyond reason and the implementation of religious instructions in ihsan.
  • Quraish emphasizes that knowledge is the key to enhancing faith, Islam, and ihsan, suggesting setting an example, increasing knowledge, and justifying beyond reason as essential steps.
  • He stresses the significance of cultivating a reading culture from childhood, advocating for parents to lead by example and expose children to books, emphasizing the transformative power of reading.
  • Quraish discusses the concept of wasathiyah in Islam, highlighting moderation as a balance between extremes and the importance of appropriateness in actions and speech.
  • He addresses the polarization on social media, advising self-restraint in speech and emphasizing the Quran's guidance on limiting conversation, especially in the digital age.
  • Quraish underscores the role of reading in self-improvement, suggesting that reading extensively can lead to knowledge, understanding, and the ability to use knowledge appropriately, drawing parallels to the Prophet's emphasis on reading as a key to civilization.

24:55

Reason in Religion: Essential for Understanding Islam

  • Religion requires reason for understanding, as exemplified by Imam Ghazali's analogy of religious guidance being like the sun, necessitating sunglasses (reason) to see without being dazzled.
  • Reason is crucial in religious teachings, as legal provisions can change with reason's intervention.
  • The expression "There is no religion without reason" emphasizes the importance of reason in interpreting religious teachings.
  • The need for adapting reasoning to current times is highlighted, as past reasoning may not be suitable for present situations.
  • The role of experts in providing new interpretations of religious teachings to align with societal conditions is crucial.
  • The importance of openness to science and knowledge in Islam, as exemplified by historical figures like Harun al-Rashid and Al Ghazali, is emphasized.
  • Knowledge is essential for restoring the glory of Islam, obtained through reading and cleansing the heart.
  • The difference between the Islamic and secular views on knowledge acquisition is discussed, with Islam emphasizing inner enlightenment.
  • Deliberation, a key aspect of democracy, requires selecting individuals with integrity, intellect, and moral values for effective decision-making.
  • Encouraging reading is highlighted as a key to increasing knowledge, awareness, and limiting negative activities, essential for young people to maintain religiosity and education.

50:11

Embracing Diversity and Unity in Islam

  • In Islam, God emphasizes tolerance and diversity, encouraging individuals to embrace differences and practice forgiveness in relationships, contrasting with human tendencies towards demands and labels.
  • The importance of focusing on commonalities rather than differences is highlighted, with an emphasis on unity as Muslims and Indonesians, rather than Sunni or Shia distinctions.
  • The discussion delves into the disparity in Nobel prizes won by Muslims compared to other religious groups, prompting reflection on the need for increased knowledge and recognition of Muslim scholars' achievements throughout history.
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