CONTEXTUAL INTERPRETATION OF THE QUR’AN IN THE DIGITAL ERA

Abstract

The digital era has fundamentally transformed how religious texts are accessed, consumed, and understood. As digital platforms democratize religious knowledge, traditional methods of Qur'anic exegesis (tafsir) face new challenges and opportunities in maintaining relevance amid rapidly changing social contexts. Objective, This study aims to explore the dynamics of the contextual interpretation of the Qur'an within the digital landscape, analyzing how digital tools shape contemporary understanding and application of sacred texts. Method, This research employs a qualitative library research method with a conceptual and hermeneutical approach, analyzing contemporary digital tafsir platforms, social media discourse, and modern contextual exegetical frameworks. Results, The findings reveal that while the digital era accelerates the dissemination of Qur'anic teachings, it often leads to fragmentation and superficiality in interpretation due to algorithmic biases and the pursuit of viral content. However, it also offers unprecedented spaces for dynamic, inclusive, and highly contextualized applications of the Qur'an to modern issues such as digital ethics, human rights, and gender equality. Onclusion, To remain effective, contextual interpretation in the digital era must bridge the gap between rigorous traditional scholarly methodologies and the interactive, fast-paced nature of digital communication, ensuring that the eternal message of the Qur'an speaks meaningfully to contemporary digital societies.