Reconciliation of Islamic Science in Tafsir Al-Misbah: M. Quraish Shihab's Integrative Paradigm on Kauniyah Verses

Abstract

Research Background: The relationship between Islam and modern science represents one of the most contested frontiers in contemporary Qur'anic studies, particularly regarding the interpretation of verses concerning natural phenomena (ayat kauniyah). While scientific exegesis (al-tafsīr al-'ilmī) has expanded considerably, existing research has predominantly focused on verifying correspondences between Qur'anic texts and scientific discoveries—a tendency that obscures the deeper epistemological architecture underlying such interpretive practices. This study addresses this lacuna by analyzing the integrative-reconciliatory paradigm embedded within M. Quraish Shihab's Tafsir Al-Misbah, moving beyond descriptive accounts of scientific interpretation to examine how Shihab systematically reconstructs the relationship between revelation, reason, and science. Methods: Through qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis of Shihab's interpretations of cosmological, embryological, and environmental verses, Key Findings: This study demonstrates that Shihab's approach transcends conventional scientific exegesis by constructing a three-dimensional integrative framework: (1) epistemological integration that positions revelation and empirical observation as complementary rather than competing sources of knowledge; (2) methodological integration that employs multidisciplinary tools while maintaining the Qur'an's hermeneutical autonomy; and (3) axiological integration that orientates scientific knowledge toward ethical responsibility and human welfare. Contribution: The study's primary contribution lies in identifying and formalizing Shihab's "Integrative-Reconciliatory Paradigm" as a distinctive epistemological model that differs from both the conflict thesis and the subordination approach prevalent in science-religion discourse.