Reflections on Thematic Tafsir: A Thematic Interpretation of Surah Al-Fīl as a Model

Abstract

 This study seeks to define the concept of thematic tafsir by clarifying its meaning, significance, and types. Although thematic tafsir has gained notable prominence in contemporary research, compilation, and scholarly inquiry, its foundational roots extend back to the era of Qur’anic revelation, even though it did not emerge under its current terminology until modern times. Over time, thematic tafsir has expanded to address diverse aspects of life, providing Qur’anic perspectives and responses to various issues and fields. While it emphasizes the thematic unity of the Qur’an, thematic tafsir remains inherently dependent on analytical (fragmentary) tafsir, which constitutes the essential basis for understanding Qur’anic meanings. Given the importance of its applied dimension, this study presents a thematic interpretation of Surah al-Fīl as a representative model of this exegetical approach, employing both descriptive and analytical methodologies. The study is organized into an introduction and three main sections addressing the concept, emergence, and significance of thematic tafsir, followed by an applied thematic analysis of Surah al-Fīl. The findings reveal a clear distinction between the linguistic and technical definitions of thematic tafsir, confirm its origins in the era of revelation despite the absence of its modern designation, and highlight its status as a contemporary methodological approach in Qur’anic exegesis. The study also concludes that Surah al-Fīl recounts a historical event concisely within five verses, articulated through highly eloquent language and exceptional rhetorical precision.