Hamka’s Concept of Prophets’ Infallibility: An Analysis on Tafsir al-Azhar

Abstract

Tafsir al-Azhar is a Koran exegesis by Hamka (Haji Abdul Malik bin Karim Amrullah) in Malay-Indonesian language which is phenomenal in the Malay Archipelago. Hamka in his exegesis, quotes a lot from al-Raziy’s exegesis. This may have had a profound effect on Hamka’s understanding, particularly of the ‘ismah al-anbiya’ (prophetic infallibility). Moreover, al-Raziy is one of the most important figures in discussing the concept of prophetic infallibility and has influenced many later commentators in interpreting any story regarding the mistakes of the prophets. This article debating on Hamka’s concept of prophets’ infallibility. Firstly, the denotation of infallibility according to lexicology, Koran and Hadith were shown, both of the latter does not have the concept of infallible from sin. The analysis is conducted by searching various prophetic stories on guilt by referring to Tafsir al-Azhar. After the search, there are five aspect of infallibility can be found in Tafsir al-Azhar. Those aspect will be shown with its story. Hamka’s model of prophets’ infallibility are match with al-Nazzam, a Mutazilites which also a mutakallimun. The results show that Hamka’s concept of prophetic infallibility was greatly influenced by the mutakallimun (theologist).