FUDA I Saturday (March 22, 2025) - In commemoration of the Nuzulul Quran, the Student Association of the Al-Qur'an and Tafsir Science Study Program (HMPS IAT) UIN SMH Banten in collaboration with the Center for the Study of Tafsir Nusantara (PSTN) held an online study of Marah Labid by Sheikh Nawawi al-Bantani on Saturday, March 22, 2025. The event was attended by 105 participants from 9 campuses in Banten and Jakarta, including students, academics, and observers of tafsir.
In his hope, the chairman of HMPS IAT UIN SMH Banten, Muhamad Alif Zibran, “Hopefully, this Marah Labid tafsir study will be the first step for the birth of more academics and Muslim scholars who explore and develop the interpretations of Nusantara scholars. May the spirit of Sheikh Nawawi al-Bantani in exploring and spreading knowledge continue to inspire the younger generation, so that the intellectual heritage of Islam in Indonesia will be more alive and thriving. And may PSTN increasingly contribute to building a strong intellectual tradition, giving birth to a generation of young mufassirs, and making Nusantara tafsir increasingly recognized at the national and global levels.” he said.
In his remarks, the Head of the Nusantara Tafsir Study Center, Kholil Umami, emphasized that this study is a form of effort to promote and inherit the thoughts of Nusantara tafsir scholars. “In addition to building intellectual traditions, we also look at the socio-history of a tafsir that is influenced by the social conditions of its time. Previously, we have studied Abdurrauf Singkel's tafsir which is typical of the Malay language with fellow students in Aceh, as well as KH Sholeh Darat's tafsir which uses Pegon script as a medium of resistance to the colonizers. Now, we explore the interpretation of Sheikh Nawawi al-Bantani, a native of Banten whose name is fragrant in Hijaz. Our hope is that from this study, young Nawawi will be born today who are productive in producing works,” said Kholil Umam.
The event continued with mauidzah hasanah by the Board of Experts of the Quran Study Center, Dr. Lilik Ummi Kaltsum, M.A., who invited participants to reflect on the events of Nuzulul Quran. She also provided support for this study, considering that it is not easy to organize a sustainable tafsir study. “There are many who intend to make this kind of interpretation study, but not all of them can take place well. Thank you to Gus Jazil for facilitating this event. In understanding the Qur'an, we need to not only read the text, but also understand the context. I hope PSTN can continue to study the context side of the interpretations of Indonesian mufassirs in various forms, including through competitions,” he said.
After the mauidzah hasanah session, the activity continued with the delivery of material on Tafsir Marah Labid which was taught by Dr. Andi Rosa, M.A., a lecturer in tafsir at UIN SMH Banten, and Enok Ghosiyah, M.Ag., commissioned Chairperson of PP FKMTHI. Both speakers discussed how Sheikh Nawawi interpreted the verses of the Qur'an in the scientific and social context of his time, as well as its relevance for Muslims today.
In closing, the advisor of Pusat Studi Tafsir Nusantara, Dr. H. Jazilul Fawaid, S.Q., M.A., gave directions to the participants. He emphasized the importance of emulating mufassir figures like Sheikh Nawawi al-Bantani. “As academics, we must emulate figures like Sheikh Nawawi, because there is a lot of knowledge and benefits that we can learn from him. One form of exemplary is to make the Qur'an really descend into our hearts, especially on the night of Nuzulul Quran. I hope this kind of study will continue and grow in the future,” he said.
This activity was then closed with a joint prayer, as a form of hope that the knowledge gained in this study can bring benefits and blessings to all participants. The Nusantara Tafsir Study Center hopes that the study of the interpretation of Nusantara scholars can continue to be carried out regularly in order to strengthen understanding and love for Islamic intellectual heritage in Indonesia.
Editor: Faisal (FUDA Public Relations) and HMPS IAT
