Raḥmān and Raḥīm in the Qur'an and the Bible: An Intertextual Reading through Julia Kristeva's Theory

Zahratul Farhah; Anwar Fahmi; Zira Shafira; Hifsa Nurrahim; Fadhal Al-Khalidi

doi:10.24952/el-thawalib.v7i4.20817

Raḥmān and Raḥīm in the Qur'an and the Bible: An Intertextual Reading through Julia Kristeva's Theory

Zahratul Farhah* - UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Anwar Fahmi - UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Zira Shafira - UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Hifsa Nurrahim - UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Fadhal Al-Khalidi - UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

This study examines the intertextuality of the concepts of God’s compassion and mercy through the terms al-Raḥmān and al-Raḥīm in the Qur’an and raḥûm in the Bible. This study is qualitative in nature, taking the form of a literature review that employs Julia Kristeva’s approach to intertextuality combined with historical analysis. Primary data include Q.S Al-Fatihah/1:1 and 3, Q.S An-Nisa/4:1, Q.S Hud/11:90, and Q.S Al-Zumar/39:53 from the Qur’an, as well as Exodus 34:6, Deuteronomy 4:31, Psalm 78:38, and Isaiah 49:15 from the Bible. Secondary data consists of exegetical works, Arabic and Hebrew lexicons, biblical commentaries, and literature on the theory of intertextuality. Data were collected through documentation, inventory, contextual classification, and the selection of representative verses, then analyzed descriptively and analytically by identifying conceptual similarities, transformations of meaning, and intertextual dialogue. The results of this study indicate that the relationship between raḥûm and al-Raḥmān and al-Raḥīm extends beyond their shared root, r-ḥ-m, as well as meanings such as compassion, mercy, forgiveness, and the nurturing of God’s relationship with humanity. However, through a process of intertextuality, the Qur’an does not merely repeat the concept of raḥûm but transforms, expands, and modifies its meaning in accordance with its own theological framework. Thus, intertextuality signifies a dialogue with earlier traditions without undermining the Qur’an’s framework of meaning

Keywords

Raḥmān-Raḥīm, Intertextuality, Al-Qur’an dan Bibel

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.24952/el-thawalib.v7i4.20817