The Sea in the Qur'an: A Thematic Exegesis of Maritime Verses
Abstract
This paper is a thematic exegesis (Tafsīr Mawdūdī) that examines the role of the sea as a theological, symbolic, ethical and ecological system within the discourse of the divine in Quranic maritime verses. Based on the classical and contemporary schools of tafsīr, the paper classifies the verses that relate to the sea under four major categories, namely descriptive, symbolic, historical and legal/ethical. The verses representing the descriptive side of this poetry contain the aspects of natural occurrence in the environment like the waves, sea animals, and the line where the fresh and the salty water meet, whereas symbolic verses show the sea as an allegory of human weakness and Godliness. Narratives in history show how the sea is used as a form of deliverance and punishment, such as the account where there is the story of prophets such as Noah and Moses. Legal and ethical sources stress the acceptability of marine resources and the fact that moderation must be exercised in the utilization of the resources. The paper also looks at the way classical exegetes such as al-Tabari, al-Razi, and Ibn Kathir read maritime verses with emphasis on linguistic, historical and juristic contexts but modern scholars such as Sayyid Quṭb and al-Maraghi have entertained the psychological, theme and environment issues. Drawing a parallel between the Quranic mention and the current knowledge in oceanography and ecological ethics, the paper demonstrates the timelessness of the Quran in helping to solve the current environmental problems. The sea, which is described in the Quran, is more than just a demonstration of power of God; it is a reminder to be good stewards. The end result is that this thematic journey helps to emphasize the Quranic Sea as a complex and evolving symbol, which straddles spirituality, morality, and science.
Keywords: Qur’an, Sea, Thematic Tafsīr, Maritime Verses, Symbolism, Environmental Ethics, Islamic Exegesis, Oceanography, Divine Signs, Stewardship
