An Analytical Study of Raja Ali Haji’s (1809–1873 CE) Political Thought through Quranic Exegesis in Thamarat al-Muhimmah

Abstract

Raja Ali Haji, a prominent 19th-century scholar from the Nusantara region, authored two significant works related to political science: Thamarat al-Muhimmah and Muqaddimah fi Intizam. His writings incorporate Qur’anic verses to substantiate his arguments, reflecting a deep engagement with Islamic sources. This study examines Raja Ali Haji’s use of Qur’anic verses as the foundation of his political thought in Thamarat al-Muhimmah. Although existing literature has addressed this theme to some extent, thematic interpretations of the Qur’an through a critical Islamic political lens remain underexplored. This research seeks to fill that gap by analysing three selected verses to uncover Raja Ali Haji’s intellectual approach in shaping political thought, particularly through advisory motifs aligned with the genre of mirrors for princes. The verses are examined using a thematic method to assess their relevance to the principles of statecraft articulated in his work. The findings reveal that Raja Ali Haji’s political philosophy is grounded in a profound understanding of the Qur’anic texts he employs, offering a nuanced critique of arbitrary leadership that deviates from the ethical and legal boundaries set by Sharia.