Literalism and in the Understanding of Religion (A Challenge in Religion)

Abstract

In the midst of the spirit of religious symbolism in this era, such as demonstrations in the name of religion, polygamy slogans, robed clothes, and labeling of infidels towards 'others' has brought us to the fundamental problem of the way we understand religion itself. We must look at this phenomenon as a challenge for our religion today and in the future Anyone, in fact, must sympathize with those who are able to carry out strict religious rituals. This is because the spirit of ritualism is the right of every believer to fulfill it properly and correctly. However, this does not mean closing the possibility of the birth of the thought in the understanding of religion. Because the difference in space has spread the opportunity for every people to reinterpret the doctrine of religion itself. The Imam of the Shafi'ah experienced a turbulent mind, because the differences in space and time had encouraged him to do ijtihad and gave birth to different views, so that he was known as a cleric who had two views: old views (qaul qadim) and new views (qaul jadid). Likewise, with Ibn Rushd, although he seems to side with the Maliki school, if we read his book Bidayat al-Mujtahid wa Nihayat al-Muqtashid, he actually appreciates other schools as the treasure present in Islamic history. In this era there is a kind of truth claim from his own group, so that different religious thoughts are considered wrong and contrary to God's teachings. So far, I have seen that it all started with the swift currents of literalism and textualism in understanding religion. Inevitably, even expensive fees must be paid as a consequence of the spread of such religious views. The characteristics of a literal view can be seen from several things: First, tawhid al-din wal al-fikr al-pada. Second, theocentrism. Third, the salaf authority.