INTERPRETATION OF THE CONCEPT OF RU'YATULLA>H IN Q.S. AL-AN'A>M (6):103 AND AL-QIYA>MAH (75):22-23 (Comparative Study of the Interpretation of Shaykh al-Zamakhsyari and al-Qa>di> Abdul Jabbar in a Muktazilah Perspective)

ABSTRACT
Muchammad Zulfahmi Tri Irwanto: “Interpretation of the Concept of Ru’yatullāh
in Q.S. al-An’am (6):103 and al-Qiyamah (75):22-23 (A Comparative Study of the
Interpretations of Shaykh al-Zamakhsyari and al-Qadi Abdul Jabbar from a
Muktazilah Perspective)”, Al-Qur’an and Tafsir Study Program, Faculty of Islamic
Studies, Darul ‘Ulum University, Jombang, 2025.
The concept of ru’yatullāh is a controversial theological theme in Islam, particularly
regarding whether humans can see Allah SWT in this world or the afterlife. This
debate is reflected in the interpretation of Q.S. al-An’am (6):103, which emphasizes
the impossibility of seeing Allah SWT, while Q.S. Al-Qiyāmah (75):22-23 actually
suggests this possibility. This study aims to compare the interpretations of two
scholars from the same school of thought, namely Shaykh al-Zamakhsyārī and al
Qāḍī Abdul Jabbār, to understand the differences and similarities in their
methodologies and arguments. Although both scholars belong to the same school
of thought, the Mu'tazilah, the researcher wants to determine whether there are
differences in their interpretive perspectives.
This study uses a qualitative library research method with a comparative tafsir
(tafsir muqāran) approach. Primary data were taken from Shaykh al-Zamakhsyāf
and al-Qāḍī Abdul Jabbār's Tanzīh al-Qur'ān ‘an al-Mathā‘in. They were analyzed
descriptively and analytically using a comparative (muqāran) technique.
The results of this study indicate that the differences in interpretation of ru'yatullāh
between Shaykh al-Zamakhshari and al-Qāḍī Abdul Jabbar stem from different
interpretative methods, despite sharing the same Mu'tazilite doctrine. These
differences lie, among other things, in the methodology of linguistics and
philosophical systematization. Shaykh al-Zamakhshari placed greater emphasis on
linguistic and semantic analysis of Arabic, using the text as a benchmark.
Meanwhile, al-Qāḍī Abdul Jabbar operated within a systematic theological
framework based on philosophy, employing strong logical and deductive arguments
in constructing his theological propositions. However, both agreed that God
Almighty cannot be seen in the world. Consequently, understanding ru'ya verses
requires a multidisciplinary approach, including linguistics, theology, and historical
context.
Keywords: Ru'yatullāh; al-Zamakhshari; al-Kasysyāf; al-Qāḍī Abdul Jabbar;
Tanzīh al-Qur'ān 'an al-Mathā'i