LANGUAGE AS A MEDIUM OF LOCAL ISLAMIC PREACHING: A STYLISTIC AND SOCIOLINGUISTIC STUDY OF TAFSIR AL-IBRĪZ

Abstract

This article examines the stylistic and sociolinguistic dimensions of Al-Ibrīz li Maʿrifat
Tafsīr Al-Qur’an al-ʿAzīz by KH. Bisri Musthofa, a classical tafsir text in Javanese language that
has significantly influenced Islamic education and dakwah in pesantren communities. Using a
qualitative approach through textual analysis, this study applies stylistic and sociolinguistic methods
to explore how language functions not only as a medium of interpretation but also as a socio-cultural
strategy in conveying Qur’anic messages. The findings show that the use of local metaphors,
honorific Javanese registers, proverbs, and narrative styles in Al-Ibrīz enhances the accessibility,
persuasiveness, and cultural relevance of the tafsir. Sociolinguistically, the language of the tafsir
reflects social hierarchy, religious authority, and identity construction within pesantren culture. This
study implies the importance of local-language-based tafsir in contemporary Islamic discourse as a
model of contextual and inclusive religious communication.

Key words: tafsir local, stylistics, sociolinguistics, pesantren, dakwah