M. Amin Abdullah’s Hermeneutics and Its Implementation in Contemporary Islamic Education: (A “Fresh Ijtihad” from Philosophical Paradigm to Practical Dimension)

Abstract

Introduction to The Problem: M. Amin Abdullah’s hermeneutical thought emphasizes the integration of religious and scientific knowledge. His epistemological paradigm seeks to overcome the dichotomy between religious and secular sciences, enabling Islamic education to respond to contemporary challenges. Purpose: This study analyzes M. Amin Abdullah’s concept of hermeneutics as an epistemological framework and its implications for reconstructing contemporary Islamic education. Amin Abdullah’s hermeneutics is not merely a method of interpreting religious texts but an epistemological framework characterized by a triadic–circular–hermeneutical model that facilitates dialogue between the text (hadlarah al-nass, bayani reasoning), context (hadlarah al-‘ilm, burhani reasoning), and contextualization (hadlarah al-falsafah, ‘irfani reasoning). Methods/Approach: This study employs a library research method in which data are collected from relevant literature and analyzed through a theoretical–philosophical approach. Findings: Through a hermeneutical approach, educators act as (readers) who cultivate divine–spiritual awareness (Authoritative Author)  in students (audience) through engagement with both religious texts and sciences. Hermeneutics requires creative imagination (hadlarah al-falsafah) in integrating Islamic education with the social, cultural, political, and humanitarian realities of the contemporary era. Research Limitations: This study employs a conceptual–interpretative approach, limiting comparative breadth and empirical generalizability. Restricted access to unpublished material may also affect internal validity. Originality/Value: This research offers a new perspective by positioning Amin Abdullah’s triadic epistemology as a foundation for reconstructing Islamic education that is contextual, integrative, and responsive to global and humanitarian challenges.