An Analysis of The Qur’anic Verse 16:125: From Textual to Contextual

Abstract

The Holy Qur’an is the authentic elemental source to Muslims. It affords guidelines in every aspect of human life, including da’wah. Verse 125 of Surah An-Nahl includes three central principles regarding da’wah methodology, al-Hikmah, al-maw’izah al-hasanah and al-Mujadalah billati hiya ahsan, which continually serve as direction and a reference to the da’i. This article attempted to analyse how these three key principles of da’wah methodology could translate from textual to contextual concepts, which refer to da’wah activities. The method of writing of this research was document analysis by referring to the textual verse 125 of Surah An- Nahl, perspectives of Qur’an mufassir, literature in the domain of da’wah and other pertinent documents. The researchers attended thematic analysis to address research objectives and questions on the usability of verse 125 of Surah An-Nahl in da’wah’s context in practice or societal reality. This study confirmed that the three chief principles of da’wah methodology, al-Hikmah, al-maw’izah al-hasanah and al-Mujadalah billati hiya ahsan were apposite. Therefore, it could be applied. Nevertheless, it depends on the sagacity of the da’i to interpret the principles in societal reality and adapt them based on the backgrounds of the mad’u.