The Concept of the Congregation as an Educational Media for Community Unity in Tafsir Fi Zhilalil Qur'an

Abstract

The concept of the congregation is an important pillar in the social and educational structure of Muslims, but its understanding is often limited to ritual and organizational aspects. This article aims to explore Sayyid Qutb's thoughts on the congregation in the Tafsir Fi Zhilālil Qur'ān, particularly as a strategic educational medium in forming the unity of the ummah (ummatan wāḥidah). This study is a systematic literature review of 25 relevant scientific sources, including journal articles, undergraduate theses, and translations of tafsir, which are analyzed using content analysis and bibliometric review approaches. The novelty of this study lies in the affirmation of the role of the congregation not only as a social entity, but also as a collective educational mechanism rooted in Qur'anic values ​​with a harakī and thematic approach. The results of the study show that Sayyid Qutb positions the congregation as a transformative instrument that mediates between revelation and the socio-political reality of the community. The congregation functions as a forum for internalizing monotheism, moral education, resistance against modern jahiliyyah, and the formation of collective leadership. These findings have important implications for the development of community-based Islamic education curricula, the revitalization of Islamic missionary organizations, and thematic interpretation studies. This study recommends further development of congregation-based educational models in the context of Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), Islamic missionary institutions, and multicultural societies as a response to the disintegration of the Muslim community in the contemporary era.