The Irfani Approach in Qur'anic Interpretation: Conceptual Foundations, Applications, and Contemporary Relevance

Abstract

The irfani approach represents one of the epistemological traditions in Qur'anic interpretation that emphasizes spiritual experience, purification of the soul, and intuitive knowledge (kashf) as means of accessing the inner dimensions of divine revelation. Despite its significant position within the Islamic exegetical tradition, this approach remains a subject of debate concerning its methodological validity, interpretive boundaries, and relevance to contemporary Islamic studies. This study aims to analyze the conceptual foundations of the irfani approach, its forms of application within the tradition of Sufi exegesis, and its relevance to the development of contemporary Islamic studies. Employing a library research method with a qualitative-descriptive approach, this study analyzes data through content analysis of classical and contemporary literature related to Islamic epistemology and Sufi interpretation. The findings demonstrate that the irfani approach possesses distinct characteristics from the bayani and burhani approaches, as it is oriented toward spiritual experience as a source of knowledge. Its application has developed into two major forms: ishari Sufi exegesis and nazhari Sufi exegesis, each of which reflects different methodological characteristics, levels of scholarly acceptance, and epistemological implications. This study further reveals that the irfani approach remains relevant in contemporary Islamic studies due to its contribution to spiritual development, character formation, and the expansion of Qur'anic hermeneutical horizons, while maintaining the principles of Islamic exegesis and religious law as methodological foundations for understanding divine revelation.