A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF AL-ṬABARĪ’S AND AL-MARĀGĪ’S INTERPRETATIONS OF THE TERMS ṬAIRAN ABĀBĪL AND AL-SIJJĪL IN SURAH AL-FĪL

PERBANDINGAN PENAFSIRAN AL-ṬABARĪ DAN AL-MARĀGĪ TERHADAP ISTILAH ṬAIRAN ABĀBĪL DAN AL-SIJJĪL DALAM SURAH AL-FĪL

Abstract

Surah Al-Fīl contains two distinctive terms, ṭairan abābīl and al-sijjīl, which have long been subjects of study and debate among Qur’anic exegetes from the classical to the contemporary period. This research aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the interpretations of these terms offered by two exegetes from different eras: Al-Ṭabarī as a representative of classical exegesis and Al-Marāgī as a representative of contemporary exegesis. The study identifies their interpretations, examines points of similarity and difference, and analyzes the factors that shape their exegetical perspectives. This study is a library research employing a descriptive qualitative approach and applying two analytical frameworks: the tafsīr approach to examine exegetical methods and interpretive styles, and the historical-sociological approach to understand the intellectual and social contexts of each exegete. The findings reveal that Al-Ṭabarī interprets ṭairan abābīl literally as flocks of birds coming from various directions in groups, while al-sijjīl is understood as stones made of hard or baked clay. His interpretation relies heavily on transmitted reports from the Companions and Successors. In contrast, Al-Marāgī adopts a more rational and contextual approach, interpreting ṭairan abābīl not necessarily as birds but as flying creatures such as mosquitoes or flies carrying disease, and al-sijjīl as toxic dry particles or agents responsible for outbreaks of smallpox and measles. The main findings show that although both exegetes agree that the destruction of Abrahah’s army was a divine intervention, significant differences arise in their methodology and their interpretation of the material or empirical aspects of these terms. These differences are influenced by the historical background and intellectual orientation of each exegete. This study is expected to contribute to the development of Qur’anic exegesis studies, particularly in understanding the dynamics of interpretive differences between classical and contemporary exegetes, especially regarding the terms ṭairan abābīl and al-sijjīl in Surah Al-Fīl.