Dialektika Tafsir dan Kemajuan Pengetahuan Sidik Jari dalam Al-Qur’an: Aplikasi Kontekstual Abdullah Saeed

Abstract

This paper discusses the contextualization of fingerprints in the Qur'an, specifically in Surah Al-Anfal, verse 12, and Surah Al-Qiyamah, verse 4. Each person's fingerprints are unique, even among identical twins, and they remain unchanged over time, unlike other organs that may change. The aim of this study is to examine how scholars have interpreted the reference to fingerprints in the Qur'an across different eras and how the concept of fingerprints indicated in the Qur'an can be applied in the contemporary context. The analysis employs Abdullah Saeed's contextual approach. The research concludes that: first, linguistically, the term "banan" refers to the tips of the fingers. It is mentioned with reference to fingers rather than other body parts because fingers are the smallest and most complex bones and were the last body parts created. From a micro-macro perspective of asbab an-nuzul, fingerprints are related to the disbelief of the disbelievers regarding Allah's ability to resurrect and identify individuals from the grave, distinguishing one person from another. Second, interpretations of the term "banan" by scholars across generations present two views. One view is that Allah has the power to perfectly reconstruct human fingers. The other view explains that human fingerprints can be relied upon for identity investigation in criminal cases. Third, in the context of modern advancements, fingerprints are now used not only for criminal identification but also in technology fields, such as security systems and digital authentication.

Keywords

• fingerprints; contextual tafsir; abdullah saeed.