MAKNA AL-MUḤṢANĀT DALAM QS. AL-MĀ’IDAH 5: ANALISIS PENAFSIRAN AL-QURṬUBĪ DAN IBNU ‘ĀSYŪR

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the interpretation of Imam al-Qurṭubī and Ibn ‘Āsyūr on the meaning of al-muḥṣanāt in QS. al-Mā’idah verse 5 and examine its meaning on the provisions of marriage between Muslim men and Ahl al-Kitab women. The background of this study is the existence of variations in the interpretation of the term al-muḥṣanāt which causes differences in the legal boundaries of interfaith marriage in Islamic jurisprudence. The study uses a library research method with an integrated comparative method approach through analysis of primary sources, namely Tafsir al-Jāmi‘ li Aḥkām al-Qur’ān and Tafsir at-Taḥrīr wa at-Tanwīr. The results of this study indicate that both commentators agree that a muḥṣanāt (Muslim women) is a woman who maintains her honor and chastity. However, al-Qurṭubī emphasizes the social and legal status aspects, namely a free woman protected from adultery, in line with the textual interpretation of classical fiqh. In contrast, Ibn ‘Āshūr emphasizes the aspects of moral protection and social welfare, in accordance with the contextual maqāṣidī approach.This study concludes that the permissibility of marriage between a Muslim man and a woman of the People of the Book is not absolute, but is conditioned on fulfilling the characteristics of a muḥṣanāt (Muslim women) to maintain the purity of faith, family ethics, and social stability. These findings underscore the urgency of understanding the differences between classical and contemporary interpretations in the application of Islamic family law in the context of modern society.