Integrating the Tafsir Maudhu’i Approaches of Al-Farmawi and Quraish Shihab as a Solution to Social Problems in the Digital Era

Abstract

This study aims to examine the contextualization of the Tafsir Maudhu’i (thematic exegesis) method in addressing various contemporary problems in Indonesia, including moral crises, social conflicts, and digital media abuse. The research employs a qualitative library research method with a content analysis approach. This study integrates the methodological rigor of Abd al-Hayy al-Farmawi’s seven-step framework with the flexibility of M. Quraish Shihab’s contextual approach through the concept of "grounding the Qur’an" (membumikan Al-Qur’an). The findings indicate that the synthesis of these two approaches creates a transformative and applicable interpretative framework. Unlike previous studies that tend to be descriptive and purely theoretical, this research successfully formulates a thematic exegesis model that actively shifts from textual analysis to real-world problem-solving. By combining al-Farmawi’s linguistic depth with Quraish Shihab’s contextual flexibility, Qur’anic values can be responsively applied to address social media ethics, tolerance, and social justice without reducing the original meaning of the verses. In conclusion, this contextualized thematic exegesis method provides a more practical, dynamic, and relevant solution to the contemporary needs of modern Indonesian society.