Hermeneutika Pembebasan Farid Esack atas Konsep Mustadh‘afīn dalam Surah An-Nisa’ Ayat 75

Abstract

This study examines the concept of mustadh‘afīn in QS An-Nisa’ verse 75 through the perspective of Farid Esack’s liberation hermeneutics. The research aims to analyse how Farid Esack constructs a contextual and socially oriented interpretation of the Qur’an in responding to oppression and social injustice. This research employs a qualitative library research method using a hermeneutic approach. The primary data sources are Farid Esack’s major works, particularly Qur’an, Liberation and Pluralism: An Islamic Perspective of Interreligious Solidarity Against Oppression and The Qur’an: A User’s Guide, while secondary sources consist of scholarly articles and contemporary studies discussing liberation hermeneutics and Qur’anic interpretation. Data were collected through documentation techniques and analysed using content analysis combined with historical-contextual interpretation. The findings reveal that Esack interprets QS An-Nisa’ verse 75 not merely as a normative text, but as an ethical and social mandate to defend oppressed groups. Through the principles of taqwa, tauhid, al-nas, mustadh‘afīn, ‘adl, and jihad, Esack develops an interpretive framework that connects Qur’anic text with social transformation and humanitarian solidarity. In this perspective, the Qur’an is understood as a living text that must actively respond to structural injustice, discrimination, marginalisation, and inequality in contemporary society. This study concludes that Farid Esack’s liberation hermeneutics contributes significantly to the development of contextual and socially engaged Qur’anic interpretation, particularly in addressing modern social issues and advocating justice for marginalised communities.