Sayyid Quṭb’s Exegesis of Hospitality in Prophetic Narratives

Pentafsiran Sayyid Quṭb tentang Hospitaliti dalam Naratif Kenabian

Authors

  • Syed Mohamad Zainudin Bichk Koyak Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), MALAYSIA. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8505-0894
  • Muhammad Akmalludin Mohd Hamdan Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), MALAYSIA. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2492-4729
  • Ahmad Salahuddin M Azizan Open University Malaysia (OUM), MALAYSIA.
  • Muhammad Rezi Universitas Islam Negeri Sjech M. Djamil Djambek, INDONESIA.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53840/alirsyad.v10i2.561

Keywords:

Hospitality, Sociological Exegesis, Sayyid Quṭb

Abstract

This study examined Sayyid Quṭb’s interpretive approach to the Quranic narratives of hospitality in his seminal tafsīr, Fī Ẓilāl al-Qurʾān (In the Shade of the Quran). Focusing on the stories of Prophet Abraham and his honored guests, and Prophet Lot and his people, the study analyzed how Quṭb situates these episodes within his broader project of tafsīr ijtimāʿī wa ḥarakī (social and movement-oriented exegesis). This study highlighted Quṭb’s hermeneutical methods, including his emphasis on thematic unity within the sūrah, his literary sensitivity to Quranic imagery, and his insistence on linking Quranic guidance to the lived realities of Muslim societies. Through his reading of these narratives, Quṭb derives a set of ethical principles governing hospitality: the obligation to welcome guests warmly, the duty to provide food promptly and generously, the importance of ensuring guests’ comfort and safety, and the moral imperative to uphold their dignity. In Quṭb’s view, these Quranic stories do not only recount historical events but also serve as paradigms for cultivating justice, mercy, and communal solidarity in contemporary Muslim life. By foregrounding hospitality as a Quranic ethical principle, this study argued that Quṭb’s tafsīr underscores the role of Islam in addressing social challenges and fostering human dignity.

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Author Biographies

Syed Mohamad Zainudin Bichk Koyak, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), MALAYSIA.

Syed Mohamad Zainudin Bichk Koyak is an emerging scholar and educator in the fields of Quranic studies, hadith, and Islamic intellectual tradition. His work reflects a unique integration of classical scholarship with contemporary academic analysis, particularly in areas such as tafsir methodology, social exegesis, and the study of prophetic traditions. He is actively involved in curriculum development, teaching, and academic supervision, demonstrating a strong commitment to nurturing students’ analytical and spiritual engagement with Islamic texts. Beyond teaching, Dr. Syed contributes to research through conference papers, journal articles, and thematic studies, often exploring topics like hospitality in the Quran, maqasid-based interpretation, and comparative exegesis involving scholars such as Ibn Kathir, al-Qurtubi, Ibn ʿAshur, and Sayyid Qutb. His academic writing is marked by clarity, methodological rigor, and an ability to bridge classical insights with modern relevance. Dr. Syed is also engaged in community and institutional initiatives, including seminar organization, creative educational media, and Islamic outreach programs. Known for his meticulous approach, versatility, and dedication to scholarly excellence, he continues to develop impactful work within the Islamic studies landscape.

Muhammad Akmalludin Mohd Hamdan, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), MALAYSIA.

Muhammad Akmalludin Mohd Hamdan is a dedicated educator and researcher with a strong academic foundation in Islamic studies, particularly in hadith, Quranic sciences, and contemporary Islamic thought. His scholarly interests revolve around understanding prophetic traditions, methodological rigor in riwayah and dirayah, and the relevance of classical Islamic scholarship in addressing modern societal and ethical concerns. As an academic, he is committed to cultivating analytical thinking and spiritual literacy among his students, ensuring they engage with Islamic texts through both precision and reflection. He actively contributes to academic development through teaching, curriculum enhancement, and collaborative research projects. His work reflects a balance between classical mastery and modern pedagogical approaches, making him an influential figure in the classroom and in academic discussions. Muhammad Akmalludin frequently participates in conferences, seminars, and scholarly circles, presenting research on hadith methodology, exegetical approaches, and the continuity of Islamic intellectual heritage. Beyond academia, he is engaged in community-based Islamic programs, youth development initiatives, and educational outreach. Recognized for his clarity, discipline, and commitment to scholarly integrity, he continues to shape meaningful conversations in the broader field of Islamic studies.

Ahmad Salahuddin M Azizan, Open University Malaysia (OUM), MALAYSIA.

Ahmad Salahuddin M. Azizan is an emerging academic and educator in the field of Islamic studies, known for his commitment to rigorous scholarship and his ability to present complex religious concepts with clarity and depth. His academic interests span Quranic sciences, hadith interpretation, and classical Islamic thought, with a particular focus on how foundational Islamic texts inform ethical, social, and spiritual development in contemporary contexts. In teaching, Ahmad Salahuddin is recognized for his student-centered approach, emphasizing critical engagement, methodological discipline, and reflective reading of classical sources. He actively contributes to curriculum development, academic mentoring, and collaborative research projects, demonstrating a strong passion for strengthening Islamic scholarship within higher education. His research frequently explores thematic Quranic interpretation, hadith methodology, and the interplay between tradition and modernity in Islamic discourse. He also participates in conferences, workshops, and community-based programs, sharing insights that bridge academic knowledge with practical religious guidance. Respected for his intellectual discipline, balanced perspectives, and dedication to continuous learning, Ahmad Salahuddin M. Azizan represents a promising voice in the ongoing revival of Islamic scholarship and education.

Muhammad Rezi, Universitas Islam Negeri Sjech M. Djamil Djambek, INDONESIA.

Dr. Muhamad Rezi, S.Th.I, M.Pd.I, MA. His doctorate is in the field of Qur'an and Tafsir. He is a lecturer in the Quran and Tafsir study programme at Sjech M. Djamil Djamik State Islamic University, Bukittinggi, Indonesia. His dissertation examines the linguistic and cultural relationship between Minangkabau traditional philosophy and the Quran, with a focus on the study of Kato nan Ampek philosophy. His Master's thesis explores the main points of Sayyid Qutb's thoughts on political leadership in Tafsir Fi Zhilal Al-Qur'an. In the past year, he has published two Scopus Q1-indexed articles. The first concerns the reinterpretation of the law of Riba based on Al-Jashash's interpretation in his work Ahkam Al-Qur'an. Second, publications on the trends and challenges of Islamic studies in higher education are reviewed through the SLR method. In addition, he is also an active researcher in the field of Qur'an Tafsir and Minangkabau Culture. In addition to researching and writing, he is active in community service, namely by providing religious counseling regularly, both from the mosque pulpit and directly in the community.

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Sayyid Quṭb’s Exegesis of Hospitality in Prophetic Narratives

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Published

2025-12-19

How to Cite

Bichk Koyak, S. M. Z., Mohd Hamdan, M. A., M Azizan, A. S., & Rezi, M. (2025). Sayyid Quṭb’s Exegesis of Hospitality in Prophetic Narratives: Pentafsiran Sayyid Quṭb tentang Hospitaliti dalam Naratif Kenabian. Al-Irsyad: Journal of Islamic and Contemporary Issues, 10(2), 1500–1517. https://doi.org/10.53840/alirsyad.v10i2.561

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2025): al-Irsyad: Journal of Islamic and Contemporary Issues

Section

English

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Copyright (c) 2025 Syed Mohamad Zainudin Bichk Koyak, Muhammad Akmalludin Mohd Hamdan, Ahmad Salahuddin M Azizan, Muhammad Rezi

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