The Urgency of Ilmi's Interpretation in Explaining Disaster Phenomena: Efforts to Reduce Politicization of Disasters and Actions of Intolerance in Indonesia

Abstract

In recent months, the phenomenon of disasters has overtaken Indonesia. In general, the disaster that is the focus of attention is the earthquake that occurred in several regions in Indonesia. Beginning with the earthquake that struck Banten in January, followed by the Lombok earthquake in early August, and the last earthquake and tsunami that struck Central Sulawesi in late September. In addition to causing casualties and damage, the phenomenon of this disaster also leaves a social polemic. Among them is the phenomenon of the politicization of disasters and acts of intolerance. The massive negative narratives in social media interpreting and linking the earthquake with political choices and doom by making the translation of the verses of the Qur'an as the basis of their arguments, which then lead to the occurrence of the destruction of sea alms which is considered as a form of identity becomes evident. This reality shows the importance of presenting scientific narratives to catastrophic phenomena in order to reduce political narratives that can even form intolerant actions. Ilmi's interpretation as one of the variants of interpretation which emphasizes the scientific explanation of the phenomenon of naturalness should be the theological basis in an effort to interpret kauniah verses, especially in reading disasters and their causes. At the same time, it is an affirmation that the understanding of the Qur'an must not be limited to its translation. Therefore, this paper will discuss the urgency of Ilmi's interpretation as a form of scientific narrative-theology of kauniah verses (signs of depth) in an effort to reduce the narrow understanding of the phenomenon of disasters and form an ethical society and prioritize human values