The Challenge of Esoteric Quranic Hermeneutics in the Digital Era: A Qualitative Analysis of the Disruption of Spiritual Authority and the Reconstruction of Practical Application

Abstract

The digital era has fundamentally transformed how Muslims access, understand, and practice the Qur’an. However, the dimension of esoteric interpretation (al-tafsir al-batini/al-ishari), which has traditionally relied upon prolonged contemplation, direct spiritual guidance, and the validity of scholarly chains of transmission (sanad), faces serious disruption. This article aims to identify the main challenges in understanding the Qur’an esoterically amidst the tide of digitalization and to formulate adaptive practical applications. Using a qualitative descriptive method with a literature study approach and phenomenological analysis of contemporary phenomena, this study finds at least four fundamental challenges: (1) epistemological tensions between algorithmic logic that prioritizes speed, instantaneity, and virality and the character of esoteric understanding that demands slow and repetitive contemplation; (2) disruption of spiritual authority due to the weakening of sanad functions and the emergence of religious micro-celebrities lacking scholarly qualifications; (3) the limitations of artificial intelligence (AI) in capturing and transmitting the dimensions of dhawq (inner taste) and kashf (spiritual unveiling); and (4) the transformation of learning patterns from communal and personal to individual and consumptive. In response, this article offers a framework of practical applications through hybrid learning models, digital curation of esoteric content, revitalization of sanad in virtual formats, and religious digital literacy grounded in Sufi values. This research contributes to the development of digital Qur’anic exegesis methodologies that respect Islamic scholarly traditions while responding productively to the demands of the age.