Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang

The professor from University of Melbourne Australia Prof. Abdullah Saeed, Ph.D came as the guest of honor at University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) (5/30). He was asked to be a keynote speaker of guest lecture in Islamic Law Department Faculty of Islamic Studies (FAI) UMM under the topic of the Al-Quran and interpretation.

Saeed was Islam expert who much focused doing research on the issues of Islamic thought toward text, context, personal interpretation (ijtihad) as well as the interpretation on Al-Quran. According to him, who for the first visited Malang, an opportunity to have such kind of guest lecture was precious thing. “The event can be a forum to share experience and knowledge about short of understanding on law as well as the content of Al-Quran,” he said in the midst of UMM students.    

In addition, Saeed stated, Moslem had to learn the content and value of Al-Quran. They were expected not only being able to interpret the content of Al-Quran explicitly but also implicitly. Knowledge had to be broaden in order not only cover one aspect. “Our knowledge on tafsir can be used to answer the new challenge existed today,” he said.   

            There were some points that need to be concerned to interpret Al-Quran. Among other was tradition continuousness between interpretation and logical law of Al-Quran. The tradition was starting point in making interpretation. “To understand any kinds of Arab condition in 7^th century before Masehi was complicated. It was due to some event that did not happen in the past occur nowadays,” he declared.      

            “Context or situation plays significant role when one verse is derived,” added Saeed, the one who lectured Arabic language and Islamic Studies in UMM Post Graduate. He then regretted, it was a few of Moslem scientist explore deeply the meaning of Al-Quran textually and even contextually.

            “There are various interpretations on Al-Quran, and it is so complex,” said Saeed. So, it was not surprising that there were several different meaning interpreted by one scientist to the others. Therefore, it was better for the scientist not only being focused on its language but also on the context and history that involved a culture, idea, institution, and some other contexts about the way Al-Quran-derived.  

           The professor of Faculty of Islamic Studies Prof. Dr. Syamsul Rizal stated, Saeed’s coming to UMM was not separated from the collaboration with Oslo Coalition Norwegia. Work together with the institution, UMM Post Graduate Program held Short Course on Shariah and Human Right, thus, Saeed was one of lecture that was delegated for UMM.

            “Before organizing the event, Prof. Saeed had also given a lecture via a teleconference. After that, he will give a direct lecture in Post Graduate Program,” declared Syamsul. (uci/nas/t_vik)