Exploring the Qur’ānic Hermeneutics of Shaykh Aḥmad Musṭafa Al- ʿAlāwī: Illustrating the Degrees of Understanding in the Qur’ān

This article explores the Qur’ānic hermeneutics of Shaykh Al-ʿAlāwī,focusing on his interpretation of the degrees of understanding within theQur’ān. The study employs a qualitative content analysis approach, groundedin hermeneutic theory, to uncover how Shaykh Al-ʿAlāwī’s esoteric exegesisreveals deeper spiritual meanings of the Qur’ān beyond the exoteric level.Through the examination of key verses and aḥadīth, this article illustrates thevalidity and necessity of esoteric exegesis (taʿwīl) in Islamic scholarship. Theconclusion affirms that Shaykh Al-ʿAlāwī’s contributions to tafsīr, rooted inSufi thought, emphasize the importance of inner reflection for achieving acomplete understanding of the Qur’ānic message. This article recommendsthat future studies further explore the application of hermeneutics incontemporary Qur’ānic interpretation.