The Faith, Tradition, and Causality: A Philosophical Study of the Khatam Al-Qur’an Tradition within the Framework of Islamic Beliefs

Iman, Adat, dan Kausalitas: Telaah Filosofis atas Tradisi Khatam Al-Qur’an dalam Bingkai Akidah Islam

Abstract

Faith, Custom, and Causality: A Philosophical Inquiry into the Qur’an Completion Tradition within the Framework of Islamic Creed. This article examines a communal Qur’an completion (khatam) ritual in a coastal Muslim community in Maluku as a meeting point of faith, custom, and the human understanding of causality. Held annually after the six-day Shawwal fast, the ritual features collective prayer, salawat, a communal meal, and the display of replica mosques, boats, and ships carried by each clan. Using a descriptive qualitative design based on observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation, the study analyses the data through a philosophical-theological lens that combines theories of symbol and ritual (Cassirer, Eliade, Turner, Geertz, Berger) with the concept of tawhid and the debate on causality between al-Ghazali and Ibn Rushd. The findings show that the ritual expresses gratitude and builds a shared identity across clans, and that its prayers are directed to God alone. Yet some members believe that neglecting or violating the tradition brings misfortune, which implicitly grants custom an independent causal power. The article distinguishes three layers of the tradition—form, prayer content, and causal narrative—and proposes a framework of “purification without elimination” for reading the relationship between Islam and local culture. Further research is recommended on how widely such causal beliefs are held.