Author Guidelines

ABOUT THE JOURNAL

Mufassir: Journal of Qur’anic Interpretation and Qur’anic Studies is a peer-reviewed academic journal focusing on multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, critical, and contextual studies of Qur’anic interpretation. The journal covers classical, modern, and contemporary studies using various approaches—including philological, historical, sociological, philosophical, thematic, and integrative cross-disciplinary methodologies.

This journal serves as a scholarly forum for researchers, academics, and practitioners in the field of Qur’anic exegesis, with particular attention to educational, social, cultural, and environmental issues rooted in Qur’anic values.

 

SCOPE

This journal accepts manuscripts that include, but are not limited to:

1.Tafsir and Methodology of Qur’anic Interpretation

  • Classical, modern, and contemporary exegesis
  • Thematic and contextual interpretation
  • Maqāṣidī and thematic (mawḍū‘ī) approaches
  • Methodology and epistemology of tafsir
  • Tafsir criticism and comparative studies
  • Qur’anic hermeneutics

2.Qur’anic Sciences and Linguistic Studies

  • ʿUlūm al-Qur’ān
  • Qirā’āt studies
  • Qur’anic rhetoric and semantics
  • Linguistic studies of the Qur’an
  • History of the muṣḥaf and Qur’anic compilation

3.Living Qur’an and Socio-Cultural Contexts

  • Living Qur’an studies
  • Local interpretations and Nusantara tafsir
  • The Qur’an in culture and society
  • Local traditions related to the Qur’an
  • Socio-religious practices based on Qur’anic values

4.Manuscript Studies and Tafsir Intellectualism

  • Manuscript and philological studies of tafsir
  • Nusantara tafsir manuscripts
  • Biographies of mufassirūn
  • Intellectual networks of Qur’anic interpretation
  • History of tafsir

5.Interdisciplinary Tafsir and Digitalization

  • Digital tafsir and social media
  • Interdisciplinary tafsir studies
  • Qur’anic interpretation in science, ecofeminism, and environmental studies
  • Educational tafsir and pedagogical Qur’anic verses
  • The Qur’an and technology

 

General Manuscript Requirements

1.Basic Requirements

  • The manuscript has not been previously published and is not under review in any other journal or publication.
  • The manuscript is original and free from plagiarism (maximum similarity index: 20%).
  • The manuscript is written in Indonesian or English with proper grammar and academic language.
  • Manuscript length: 5,000–8,000 words (including abstract, footnotes, and references).
  • The manuscript may be based on empirical research, literature studies, or conceptual analyses.

2.Types of Manuscripts Accepted

  • Empirical research articles
  • Literature review articles
  • Conceptual/theoretical articles
  • Case study articles
  • Critical review articles

 

Publication Ethics

Mufassir Journal is committed to international publication ethics standards in accordance with the guidelines of COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics), Springer, and global best practices in scholarly publishing.

1.Originality and Plagiarism

  • Authors must ensure that the submitted manuscript is original and free from any form of plagiarism.
  • All cited sources must be properly acknowledged using a consistent citation style.
  • Manuscripts will be screened using plagiarism detection software (Turnitin/iThenticate).
  • Manuscripts with a similarity index above 20% will be rejected.
  • Self-plagiarism (auto-plagiarism) is strictly prohibited.

2.Authorship Criteria

All listed authors must meet the following criteria:

  • Make significant contributions to the conception, design, data collection, or analysis/interpretation of the research.
  • Participate in drafting or critically revising the manuscript.
  • Approve the final version to be published.
  • Take responsibility for all aspects of the research.

3.Authorship Policies

  • The order of authors should reflect the level of contribution.
  • All authors must agree to the final version prior to submission.
  • Changes in authorship after submission are permitted only with the approval of all parties and the editor.
  • The corresponding author serves as the primary point of communication with the journal.
  • Gift authorship and ghost authorship are not allowed.

4.Conflict of Interest, Authors are required to disclose:

  • Any potential conflicts of interest (financial or non-financial).
  • Sources of research funding.
  • Relationships with organizations or institutions that might influence the research.
  • If no conflicts exist, authors must declare: “The authors declare no conflict of interest.”

5.Research Data and Transparency

  • Authors are responsible for the validity and reliability of their data.
  • Supporting data must be made available upon request by the editor or reviewers.
  • Research involving human subjects must have received ethical approval.
  • When applicable, a Data Availability Statement must be included.

6.Acknowledgment of Contributions

  • All contributors who do not meet authorship criteria must be acknowledged in the Acknowledgments section.
  • This includes funding sponsors, research assistants, data providers, or technical support.

 

 

Manuscript Structure

1.Title Page

1.1.Title

  • Maximum of 15 words
  • Specific, clear, and informative
  • Accurately reflects the content of the manuscript
  • Avoid uncommon abbreviations
  • Written in both Indonesian and English
  • Avoid generic phrases such as “A Study on…” or “An Analysis of…”

1.2.Author Information (On a Separate Page for Blind Review)

  • Full name (without academic titles)
  • Full institutional affiliation
  • Complete institutional address
  • Active email address (corresponding email)
  • ORCID iD (strongly recommended)
  • Phone/WhatsApp number for correspondence

 

2.Abstract

2.1.Indonesian and English Abstracts

  • Length: 150–250 words
  • Written in a single paragraph without subheadings
  • Must include:

Background       : Context and research urgency

                Objective           : Purpose and research questions

                Method               : Approach and methods used

                Results                : Main research findings

                Conclusion        : Implications and contributions of the study

2.2.Keywords

  • 3–5 words/phrases
  • Specific and relevant to the article content
  • Written in lowercase (except proper nouns)
  • Separated by semicolons (;)
  • Arranged alphabetically
  • Avoid words already used in the title

2.3.Example

Keywords: Qur’anic hermeneutics; living Qur’an; contextual exegesis; Nusantara tafsīr; ʿulūm al-Qur’ān

3.Introduction

3.1.Required Content

  • Research background within a broader context
  • Review of recent literature (state of the art) by citing key publications
  • Identification of research gaps or limitations of previous studies
  • Clear formulation of research problems or research questions
  • Research objectives and significance
  • Novelty of the study compared to earlier works
  • Research method (may be briefly mentioned or placed in a separate section)

3.2.Guidelines

  • Length: 15–20% of the total manuscript
  • Avoid long direct quotations
  • Use citation style: (Author, Year) or (Author, Year, p. X)
  • Avoid excessive technical details; the introduction should remain accessible to general academic readers

4.Research Method

4.1.For Empirical Research Articles

  • Research approach and design (qualitative/quantitative/mixed methods)
  • Type of research (descriptive, exploratory, explanatory, etc.)
  • Data sources (primary/secondary)
  • Data collection techniques (observation, interview, documentation, survey, etc.)
  • Research instruments (if applicable)
  • Population and sample (if applicable)
  • Data analysis techniques
  • Theoretical or conceptual framework used

4.2.For Literature Review Articles

  • Literature search strategy
  • Inclusion and exclusion criteria
  • Databases used (Google Scholar, Scopus, etc.)
  • Publication period reviewed
  • Number of sources analyzed
  • Methods of analysis and synthesis

4.3.For Conceptual Articles

  • Theoretical framework employed
  • Conceptual analysis method
  • Philosophical or epistemological approach used

5.Results and Discussion

The section may be presented as a single unit or divided into two sub-sections.

5.1.Results

  • Present the main findings supported by adequate data
  • Use tables, figures, or diagrams when necessary for clarification
  • Avoid duplication of information between text and tables/figures
  • Data must be objective and free from interpretation

5.2.Discussion

  • Provide interpretation of the results in the context of existing literature
  • Compare the findings with previous studies (consistent, divergent, or complementary?)
  • Explain why these results were obtained (causal analysis)
  • Discuss theoretical and practical implications
  • Address the limitations of the study
  • Answer the research questions posed in the introduction
  • Do not repeat the abstract or introduction

5.3.Essential Components of the Discussion

  • How the findings relate to the research objectives (what/how)
  • Scientific interpretation of each finding (why)
  • Consistency with other research (what else)
  • Differences from previous studies and the reasons behind them
  • Implications of the findings for theory and practice

5.4.Length: 50–60% of the total manuscript

6.Conclusion

  • Provide clear and concise answers to the research objectives
  • Present the main contributions of the study to the development of knowledge
  • Offer suggestions for future research or practical recommendations
  • Should not repeat the results or discussion section
  • Should not repeat the abstract
  • Should not be a list of findings (no bullet points)
  • Length: 1–2 paragraphs or a maximum of 10% of the total manuscript

7.Acknowledgments (Optional)

This section is intended to acknowledge contributions that do not meet the authorship criteria, including:

  • Funding agencies (include grant numbers, if applicable)
  • Individuals who assisted with the research (but are not co-authors)
  • Institutions that provided facilities or access to data
  • Anonymous peer reviewers (if the authors wish to acknowledge them)

The acknowledgment should be written concisely and professionally. Example:

“This research was funded by [Name of Funding Agency], Grant No. [XXX]. The authors would like to thank [Name] for assistance with data collection and [Institution] for providing access to the manuscript collections.”

 

Manuscript Format

1.Document Format

  • Paper size: A4 (210 × 297 mm)
  • Margins: Left 3 cm, Right 2.5 cm, Top 3 cm, Bottom 2.5 cm
  • Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt
  • Line spacing: 1.5 lines
  • Alignment: Justified
  • File format: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)
  • Page numbering: Bottom center

2.Headings and Subheadings

Use a maximum of three hierarchical levels:

  • Level 1: ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, Bold, Left-aligned
    INTRODUCTION
  • Level 2: Capitalize Each Major Word, Bold, Left-aligned
    Background of the Study
  • Level 3: Capitalize only the first word, Bold, Left-aligned
    Historical context of interpretation

3.Writing Foreign Terms and Special Words

  • Foreign terms (Arabic, English, etc.) not yet absorbed into Indonesian should be written in italics.
  • Foreign terms that have been absorbed are written normally (masjid, salat, zakat, hadis, tafsir, ulama).
  • Technical terms must be explained upon first appearance.
  • Use “Al-Qur'an”, not Alquran, Qur'an, or Quran.
  • When “Al-Qur'an” is written as an Arabic term, use italics and transliteration: al-Qur’ān.

4.Citations

4.1.Short Quotations (< 40 words or fewer than 4 lines)

  • Integrated into the main text
  • Use quotation marks ("…")
  • Example: According to al-Ṭabarī, “tafsir is the explanation of the meaning of the Qur’an through various methods” (al-Ṭabarī, 2001, p. 15).

4.2.Long Quotations (≥ 40 words or 4 lines and above)

  • Presented as a block quote, separated from the main text
  • No quotation marks
  • Indent 1 cm from the left margin
  • Single-spaced
  • Font size: 11 pt

4.3.Example

Al-Ṭabarī explains the concept of tafsīr comprehensively:

Tafsīr is the discipline that explains the meanings of the Qur’an, reveals its secrets, clarifies its legal rulings, and elucidates the wisdom contained therein through various linguistic, contextual, and historical approaches.
(al-Ṭabarī, 2001, pp. 15–16)

4.4.Qur’anic Verses

  • Citation format: Q.S. al-Baqarah [2]: 185 or (Q.S. 2:185)
  • Use transliteration if integrated within paragraphs
  • When presented separately and discussed extensively, Arabic text may be used along with its translation
  • Specify the translation source (e.g., Ministry of Religious Affairs of Indonesia, Quraish Shihab, etc.)

4.5. Examples in Text

The Qur’an states, “fa-man syahida minkum al-syahra fa al-yaṣumhu” (Q.S. al-Baqarah [2]: 185), meaning “whoever among you is present during the month, let him fast in it.”

Example of block quote for verses discussed extensively:

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيْٓ اُنْزِلَ فِيْهِ الْقُرْاٰنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنٰتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدٰى وَالْفُرْقَانِۚ

“The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed as guidance for humankind and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.”
(Q.S. al-Baqarah [2]: 185, translation by the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Indonesia)

5.Tables and Figures

5.1.Tables

  • Numbered sequentially (Table 1, Table 2, etc.)
  • Table title placed above the table (centered, bold, 11 pt font)
  • Use only horizontal lines; no vertical lines
  • Table source placed below the table (left-aligned, italic, 10 pt font)
  • Tables must be editable (not inserted as images)

Example

Table 1.Classification of Tafsir Methods in the Islamic Tradition

Method

Characteristics

Key Figures

Tafsīr bi al-Ma’thūr

Based on transmitted reports

al-Ṭabarī

Tafsīr bi al-Ra’y

Based on ijtihād

al-Rāzī

Source: al-Dhahabī (2000, p. 45)

5.2.Figures/Illustrations/Diagrams

  • Numbered sequentially (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.)
  • Figure title placed below the figure (centered, bold, 11 pt font)
  • Minimum resolution: 300 dpi
  • Accepted formats: JPG, PNG, TIFF
  • Figure source placed below the caption (centered, italic, 10 pt font)

5.3.General Requirements

  • Must be referred to in the main text before they appear
  • Positioned immediately after the paragraph where they are cited
  • Maximum width must fit within the page margins
  • If taken from another source, permission must be obtained and the source properly acknowledged

6.Arabic–Latin Transliteration

The journal follows the transliteration system of the Joint Decree of the Minister of Religious Affairs and the Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia No. 158/1987 and No. 0543b/U/1987, or the Library of Congress (LC) Romanization system.

6.1.Consonant Transliteration Table

Arabic

Latin

Arabic

Latin

Arabic

Latin

ط

ṭ

ء

'

ك

k

ب

b

ظ

ẓ

ل

l

ت

t

م

m

ع

‘

ث

th

غ

gh

ن

n

ج

j

ف

f

ه

h

ح

ḥ

ق

q

و

w

خ

kh

ي

y

د

d

ذ

dh

ر

r

ز

z

س

s

ش

sh

ص

ṣ

ض

ḍ

—

—

—

—

Notes:

ة (ta’ marbūṭah): -ah / -at

ال (definite article): al-

6.2.Vowels

Short Vowels

  • Fatḥah (ــَـ) = a
  • Kasrah (ــِـ) = i
  • Ḍammah (ــُـ) = u

Long Vowels

  • ā = ا following fatḥah
  • ī = ي following kasrah
  • ū = و following ḍammah

6.3.Diphthongs

  • ay = َـيْ
  • aw = َـوْ
  • iyy = ـيّ (final position: ī)
  • uww = ـوّ (final position: ū)

6.4. Special Rules

Definite Article (al-)

  • Written as al- for both ḥurūf qamariyyah and ḥurūf shamsiyyah
  • Examples: al-Qur’ān, al-Ṭabarī, al-Shāfi‘ī
  • Not written as at-Ṭabarī or asy-Shāfi‘ī (except in direct quotations)

Hamzah (ء)

  • At the beginning of a word: not written (islām (not ‘islām)
  • In the middle: apostrophe ’ (mu’min, mas’alah)
  • At the end: apostrophe ’ (shay’, juz’)

‘Ayn (ع)

  • Written as a reversed apostrophe ‘
  • ‘ilm, ‘ulamā’, Muḥammad ibn ‘Abd Allāh

Ta’ Marbūṭah (ة)

End of word: -ah (sunnah, ummah, maṣlaḥah)

In iḍāfah: -at (madrasat al-uṣūl, sūrat al-Fātiḥah)

Names of Scholars

  • Well-known names follow common spelling: Ibnu Khaldun (not Ibn Khaldūn), Ibnu Sina (not Ibn Sīnā)
  • Less familiar names follow strict transliteration rules

Titles and Kuniyah

  • Use proper transliteration: Abū, Ibn, al-, ‘Abd
  • Examples: Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī, Ibn Jarīr al-Ṭabarī

Examples of Transliteration

  • Book: Jāmi‘ al-Bayān ‘an Ta’wīl Āy al-Qur’ān
  • Scholar: Muḥammad Ḥusayn al-Dhahabī
  • Terms: tafsīr bi al-ma’thūr, ‘ulūm al-Qur’ān, mu‘jizah

 

Reference and Citation System

1.Citation Style

Mufassir Journal uses the APA (American Psychological Association) 7th Edition citation style with an in-text citation system and reference list. Important notes:

  • Use in-text citations within the main text (not footnotes for references).
  • Format: (Author, Year) or (Author, Year, p. X).
  • Footnotes are used only for additional explanations or substantive notes, not for citations.
  • Every source cited in the text MUST appear in the Reference List.
  • Use "&" for two authors in parenthetical citations, and "and" in narrative citations (or dan in Indonesian manuscripts). For manuscripts in English, use “and” in narrative form.

2.Reference Management Software

2.1.Mandatory Use of Reference Management Tools:

  • Zotero (recommended)
  • Mendeley (recommended)
  • EndNote
  • Reference Manager

2.2.Using These Tools Ensures:

  • Consistency in citation format
  • Ease of updating references
  • Reduced risk of citation errors
  • Time efficiency
  • Automatic synchronization between in-text citations and the reference list

2.3.Note: Ensure that your reference management tool is set to APA 7th Edition Style.

2.4.Number and Types of References

  • Minimum 30–40 references
  • 70–80% from scientific journals, conference proceedings, or research reports
  • 70–80% from publications within the last 5–10 years (to ensure literature currency)
  • At least 10–15% should be from Scopus or Web of Science indexed journals (for advanced research)
  • All journal references must include a DOI (if available)
  • Avoid citing Wikipedia, personal blogs, or non-academic sources
  • Prioritize primary sources (e.g., classical tafsīr works, original research articles)

3.In-Text Citation Format

3.1.Citation with One Author

  • Parenthetical citation: Contextual interpretation requires a strong epistemological foundation (Syamsuddin, 2019).
  • Narrative citation: Syamsuddin (2019) asserts that contextual interpretation requires a strong epistemological foundation.
  • With specific page number: According to Syamsuddin (2019, p. 145), “contextual interpretation must integrate both the horizon of the text and the horizon of the context.”

3.2.Citation with Two Authors

  • Parenthetical citation: The hermeneutical approach is highly relevant to Qur’anic studies (Esack & Saeed, 2013).
  • Narrative citation: Esack and Saeed (2013) highlight the relevance of hermeneutical approaches in Qur’anic studies.
  • Use “&” in parenthetical citations and “and” in narrative citations (or dan in Indonesian manuscripts).

3.3.Citation with Three or More Authors (Use “et al.” from the First Citation)

  • Parenthetical citation: Qualitative research methodology is well-suited for tafsīr studies (Rahman et al., 1965).
  • Narrative citation: Rahman et al. (1965) explain the suitability of qualitative methodology for tafsīr studies.

3.4.Same Author, Same Year (Different Works)

  • Add letters a, b, c, etc.: (Saeed, 2006a, p. 23), (Saeed, 2006b, p. 45)
  • In the Reference List: Saeed, A. (2006a). Interpreting the Qur'ān: Towards a contemporary approach. Routledge. Saeed, A. (2006b). Islamic thought: An introduction. Routledge.

3.5.Indirect Citation (Paraphrasing)

Gadamer’s hermeneutics emphasizes the importance of dialogue between the horizon of the text and the horizon of the reader (Gadamer, 2004).

3.6.Direct Quotations

  • Short quotation (< 40 words): According to Al-Dhahabī (2000), “tafsīr bi al-maʾthūr is an interpretive method based on authentic reports” (p. 15).
  • Long quotation (≥ 40 words): presented as a block quote, indented 1 cm, without quotation marks:

               Al-Dhahabī (2000) explains:

               Tafsīr bi al-maʾthūr is a method of interpreting the Qur’an that relies on reports

               from the Prophet Muhammad, his Companions, and the Tābiʿīn. This method is

               considered the most authoritative because it directly refers to authentic sources

               from the period of revelation. (p. 15)

3.7.Secondary Citation

  • Avoid secondary citations whenever possible. If unavoidable: In-text: Rashid Ridha (as cited in Federspiel, 1994, p. 23) emphasizes the importance of…
  • In the Reference List: Include only the secondary source (Federspiel), not the original author.

3.8.Organization or Institution as Author

  • First citation (full name with acronym): (Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia [Kemenag RI], 2019)
  • Subsequent citations (acronym only): (Kemenag RI, 2019)

3.9.No Author

Use a shortened version of the title (first 2–3 words): (“Tafsir Al-Qur’an,” 2020)

3.10.No Year

Use “n.d.” (no date): (Al-Zamakhsharī, n.d.)

3.11.The Qur’an

  • The Qur’an affirms, “Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you” (Q.S. al-Ḥujurāt [49]: 13).
  • Or: In Q.S. al-Ḥujurāt [49]: 13, Allah declares…
  • Note: The Qur’an does not need to be included in the Reference List.

3.12.Hadith

  • In-text: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The best of people are those who are most beneficial to others” (Al-Bukhārī, 2002, Kitāb al-Adab, no. 6026).
  • In the Reference List: Al-Bukhārī, M. I. (2002). Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī. Dār Ibn Kathīr.

3.13.Citation from a Book Chapter

The concept of revelation must be reinterpreted in the modern context (Saeed, 2015, p. 115).

3.14.Citation from a Journal Article

The Yogyakarta School of Qur’anic hermeneutics employs a humanistic-empirical approach (Syamsuddin, 2019, p. 145).

3.15.Citation from Websites/Online Media

  • With date: Digital tafsir has grown rapidly in the modern era (Hidayat, 2020).
  • Without date: (Hidayat, n.d.)

3.16.Citation from Social Media

(@qurayshshihab, 2024)

3.17.Personal Interview

  • (Maarif, personal communication, January 10, 2024)
  • Note: Personal communications are not included in the Reference List.

3.18. Common Abbreviations in APA

Ed. / Eds.            = Editor / Editors

Trans.                   = Translator

Vol. / Vols.         = Volume / Volumes

No.                        = Number

  1. = edition
  2. / pp. = page / pages

n.d.                        = no date

n.p.                        = no publisher

 

Reference List Format (References)

The Reference List is arranged alphabetically by the author’s last name (Western names) or full name (Arabic and Indonesian names).

General Guidelines:

  • Use hanging indent of 1 cm (second line onward indented).
  • 5 line spacing between entries.
  • Author name format: Last Name, Initial(s).
  • Book titles: italicized.
  • Article titles: normal, without quotation marks.
  • Journal titles: italicized.
  • DOI must be included (if available).

1.Books

1.1.Single Author

Al-Dhahabī, M. H. (2000). Al-tafsīr wa al-mufassirūn (Vols. 1–3). Maktabah Wahbah.

Shihab, M. Q. (2012). Tafsir al-Mishbah: Pesan, kesan, dan keserasian al-Qur'an (Vols. 1–15). Lentera Hati.

1.2.Two Authors

Esack, F., & Saeed, A. (2013). Contemporary approaches to the Qur'an and Sunnah. Oxford University Press.

1.3.Three to Twenty Authors

List all authors (do not use et al. in the Reference List):

Rahman, F., Hussain, S. S., & Ali, M. M. (1965). Islamic methodology in history. Islamic Research Institute.

1.4.More than Twenty Authors

List the first 19 authors, then add “…”, followed by the final author:

Author1, A., Author2, B., … Author20, Z. (2020). Book title. Publisher.

1.5.Edited Book

Saeed, A. (Ed.). (2006). The Qur'an: An encyclopedia. Routledge.

1.6.Book with Translator

Rahman, F. (1996). Tema pokok Al-Qur'an (A. Mahyuddin, Trans.). Pustaka. (Original work published 1980)

1.7.Book Edition

Gadamer, H.-G. (2004). Truth and method (2nd ed.; J. Weinsheimer & D. G. Marshall, Trans.). Continuum.

1.8.Classical Works (Tafsir/Hadith)

  • Format 1 (with modern editor): Al-Ṭabarī, M. I. J. (2001). Jāmi' al-bayān 'an ta'wīl āy al-Qur'ān (A. I. A. M. al-Turkī, Ed.; Vols. 1–26). Dār Hajr. (Original work composed ca. 310 AH/923 CE)
  • Format 2 (old edition without editor): Al-Zamakhsharī, M. U. (n.d.). Al-kashshāf 'an ḥaqā'iq ghawāmiḍ al-tanzīl (Vols. 1–4). Dār al-Kitāb al-'Arabī.

1.9.Book Chapter

Saeed, A. (2015). Rethinking revelation as a precondition for reinterpreting the Qur'an. In S. Taji-Farouki (Ed.), The Qur'an and its readers worldwide (pp. 112–130). Oxford University Press.

2.Journal Articles

2.1.With DOI

Syamsuddin, S. (2019). Hermeneutika Al-Qur'an Mazhab Yogya: Mengusung pendekatan humanistik-empiris dalam memahami Al-Qur'an. Islamica: Jurnal Studi Keislaman, 13(2), 139–168. https://doi.org/10.15642/islamica.2019.13.2.139-168

Mustaqim, A. (2019). Tafsir kontekstual: Metode dan aplikasi. Jurnal Studi Ilmu-Ilmu Al-Qur'an dan Hadis, 20(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.14421/qh.2019.2001-01

2.2.Without DOI (Online)

Umar, N. (1999). Tafsir jender dalam Al-Qur'an. Jurnal Ulumul Qur'an, 5(3), 45–60. http://jurnalulumulquran.or.id/index.php/juq/article/view/123

3.Print Journal (No DOI, No URL)

Nasution, H. (1975). Pembaharuan dalam Islam. Studia Islamika, 12(1), 23–45.

4.Conference Proceedings

Rafiq, A. (2020). Tafsir ekologis: Membaca ayat-ayat lingkungan dalam Al-Qur'an. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Qur'anic and Tafsir Studies (pp. 120–135). UIN Sunan Kalijaga Press.

5.Theses/Dissertations

5.1.Institutional Repository

Mustaqim, A. (2007). Epistemologi tafsir kontemporer: Studi komparatif antara Fazlur Rahman dan Muḥammad Shaḥrūr [Doctoral dissertation, UIN Sunan Kalijaga]. UIN Sunan Kalijaga Repository. http://digilib.uin-suka.ac.id/12345

5.2.Not Available Online

Hidayat, K. (1998). Memahami bahasa agama: Sebuah kajian hermeneutik [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.

6.Online News/Website Articles

6.1.With Date

Hidayat, K. (2020, July 13). Memahami bahasa agama: Sebuah kajian hermeneutik. Republika Online. https://republika.co.id/berita/memahami-bahasa-agama

6.2.Without Date

Hidayat, K. (n.d.). Memahami bahasa agama: Sebuah kajian hermeneutik. Republika Online. Accessed January 15, 2024, from https://republika.co.id/berita/memahami-bahasa-agama

6.3.No Author

Tafsir Al-Qur'an di era digital. (2020, August 10). Kompas.com. https://kompas.com/tafsir-digital

7.Social Media Content

7.1.Instagram

Shihab, M. Q. [@qurayshshihab]. (2024, March 15). Tafsir singkat Q.S. al-Fatihah [Photo]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/xxxxx

7.2.Twitter/X

Shihab, M. Q. [@qurayshshihab]. (2024, February 20). Makna sejati takwa dalam Al-Qur'an [Tweet]. Twitter. https://twitter.com/qurayshshihab/status/123456789

8.Published Interviews

Shihab, M. Q. (2020, May 20). Menguak makna tersembunyi Al-Qur'an [Interview by A. Shihab]. Tempo, 45–48.

Note: Personal interviews are cited only in text and are not included in the Reference List.

9.Hadith Collections

Al-Bukhārī, M. I. (2002). Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (Vols. 1–9). Dār Ibn Kathīr.

Muslim ibn al-Ḥajjāj. (1998). Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (M. F. 'Abd al-Bāqī, Ed.; Vols. 1–5). Dār Iḥyā' al-Turāth al-'Arabī.

10.Government/Organizational Documents

Kementerian Agama Republik Indonesia. (2019). Al-Qur'an dan terjemahnya. Lajnah Pentashihan Mushaf Al-Qur'an.

Majelis Ulama Indonesia. (2020). Panduan ibadah di masa pandemi COVID-19 (Fatwa No. 14/2020). https://mui.or.id/fatwa/panduan-ibadah-pandemi

11.Encyclopedias/Dictionaries

11.1.With Entry Author

Rippin, A. (2006). Tafsīr. In J. D. McAuliffe (Ed.), Encyclopaedia of the Qurʾān (Vol. 5, pp. 236–245). Brill.

11.2.Without Entry Author

Tafsir. (2020). In Ensiklopedia Islam Indonesia (Vol. 3, pp. 1245–1250). Ichtiar Baru van Hoeve.

 

Ordering of Names in the Reference List

1.Western Names

Arrange based on the last/family name:

Esack, F.

Gadamer, H.-G.

Rahman, F.

Saeed, A.

2.Arabic Names

For classical Arabic names, sort according to the nisba (the family or most recognized name), ignoring “al-”, “ibn”, and “bint” in alphabetization:

Al-Bukhārī, M. I. (filed under “B,” not “A”)

Al-Dhahabī, M. H. (filed under “D”)

Al-Ṭabarī, M. I. J. (filed under “Ṭ”)

Ibn Kathīr, I. U. (filed under “K,” not “I”)

3.Modern Arabic Names

If the author has a clear family name, sort like Western names:

Shaḥrūr, M.

Ṭāhā, M. M.

4.Indonesian Names

Sort based on the commonly used name (usually the last name, but not always):

Hidayat, K.

Mustaqim, A.

Shihab, M. Q.

Syamsuddin, S.

Exception: If the author has no identifiable family name (single-name authors), alphabetize by that single name:

Hamka. (1983). Tafsir al-Azhar (Vol. 1–30). Pustaka Panjimas.

Sukarno. (1965). Di bawah bendera revolusi. Panitia Penerbit.

 

Example of Usage in Text

Sample Paragraph with Multiple Types of Citations:

Qur’anic exegesis in Indonesia has undergone significant development since the early twentieth century (Federspiel, 1994). One of the monumental works is Tafsir al-Azhar by Hamka, which exemplifies the characteristics of Indonesian Nusantara-style exegesis (Hamka, 1983). Hamka employs an adabī ijtimā‘ī (literary-social) approach influenced by Tafsir al-Manār (Gusmian, 2013, p. 89).

According to Syamsuddin (2019), “contextual interpretation must integrate the horizon of the Qur’anic text with the socio-cultural horizon of its readers” (p. 145). This approach aligns with Gadamer’s (2004) philosophical hermeneutics, which emphasizes the concept of the fusion of horizons. Saeed (2006a, 2014) likewise underscores the importance of contextual approaches for understanding the Qur’an in the twenty-first century.

In the Indonesian context, tafsir is understood not only as a written textual product but also as a living social practice embedded in society (Syamsuddin, 2019; Mustaqim, 2019). The phenomenon of the living Qur’an illustrates how the Qur’an is interpreted and enacted within the everyday lives of Indonesian Muslims (Rafiq, 2020).

 

Footnotes for Additional Information

Although APA uses in-text citations, footnotes may still be used for:

1.Substantive explanations that are too long for the main text

2.Additional important details that would interrupt the flow of reading

3.Copyright information for quoted or reproduced materials

Example:

Gadamer’s hermeneutics has had a significant impact on contemporary Qur’anic studies.¹

¹ For a more detailed discussion on the application of Gadamer’s hermeneutics in Qur’anic studies, see Syamsuddin (2009, pp. 45–78) and Hidayat (2001, pp. 23–45).

Note: Footnotes are not to be used for citations, but only for supplementary information.

 

Software and Tools

To ensure proper formatting according to APA 7th Edition:

1.Zotero with the style “American Psychological Association 7th edition”
Style download: https://www.zotero.org/styles/apa

2.Mendeley — Select “APA 7th edition” as the citation style

3.EndNote — Choose “APA 7th”

4.Microsoft Word — Go to References → Style → APA 7th Edition

5.Google Docs — Use Zotero/Mendeley plugins with the APA 7 style

6.Online Citation Generators:

https://www.citationmachine.net (select APA 7)

https://www.scribbr.com/apa-citation-generator

 

Format Validation

 

Important Notes

Do:

  • Ensure all in-text citations appear in the Reference List
  • Include DOI for all journal articles (when available)
  • Use hanging indent for the Reference List
  • Maintain consistency in author name formats (initials vs. full names)
  • Verify accuracy of publication year, volume, issue, and page numbers

Avoid:

  • Using footnotes for citations (use in-text citation instead)
  • Listing the Qur’an and personal interviews in the Reference List
  • Using “et al.” in the Reference List (list up to 20 authors)
  • Using “Ibid.,” “op. cit.,” or “loc. cit.” (not used in APA)
  • Including excessively long URLs (use DOI or shortened links when necessary)

 

MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION PROCESS

Registration and Login

  • Authors must first register on the journal website [journal URL].
  • Click on “Register” and select the role “Author.”
  • Complete the profile with accurate information:
  • Full name

               Active email address (used for correspondence)

               Institutional affiliation

               Area of expertise

               Short biography

               Check your email to activate the account.

               Log in using the username and password you created.

Online Submission

Submission Steps

  • Log in to the OJS system.
  • Click “New Submission” or “Submit Article.”
  • Step 1 – Start

               Check all boxes in the submission requirements checklist.

               Select the Section: “Articles.”

               Add a comment for the editor (optional).

  • Step 2 – Upload Submission

               Upload the manuscript in MS Word format (.doc/.docx).

               Ensure the manuscript is anonymous (no author-identifying information) for blind review.

               Upload any additional files if applicable (supporting data, forms, etc.).

  • Step 3 – Enter Metadata

               Enter the article title (in Indonesian and English).

               Enter the abstract (in Indonesian and English).

               Enter keywords.

               Add all authors with complete details.

               Mark the corresponding author.

  • Step 4 – Confirmation

               Review all entered information.

               Click “Finish Submission.”

  • Authors will receive a submission confirmation email.

Supporting Documents for Submission

Upload the following as Supplementary Files:

  • Cover Letter (required)
  • Author Statement / Authorship Form (required)
  • Conflict of Interest Statement (required)
  • Ethical Clearance (if the study involves human subjects)
  • Supporting Data (optional, as needed)

Cover Letter

The cover letter must include:

[Date]

To:
The Editorial Board
Mufassir: Journal of Qur’anic Interpretation and Qur’anic Studies

 

Dear Editors,

We hereby submit our manuscript entitled:

“[Full Title of the Manuscript in Indonesian]”
“[Full Title of the Manuscript in English]”

for consideration for publication in Mufassir: Journal of Qur’anic Interpretation and Qur’anic Studies.

This manuscript is an original work that has not been previously published and is not under review in any other journal or publication outlet. The manuscript offers a new contribution in the field of [specify field/topic], by [briefly state the novelty or originality].

All authors have read, approved, and contributed substantially to the research and writing of this manuscript. We declare that there is no conflict of interest associated with this research.

We confirm that this manuscript aligns with the scope of Mufassir, particularly within the cluster of [specify cluster: Qur’anic Exegesis and Methodology / Qur’anic Sciences / Living Qur’an / Manuscripts / Digitalization].

 

Corresponding Author:
Name   : [Full Name]
Email   : [email]
Phone/WhatsApp : [number]
Affiliation  : [institution]

 

Thank you for your attention and consideration.

 

Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Full Name]
On behalf of all authors

Submission Checklist

Before submitting, ensure that the following items are completed:

Format and Template

  • Manuscript follows the journal template.
  • File format: MS Word (.doc/.docx).
  • Length: 5,000–8,000 words.
  • Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt.
  • Line spacing: 1.5 lines.

Content

  • Title in Indonesian and English (maximum 15 words).
  • Abstract in Indonesian and English (150–250 words).
  • Keywords: 3–5 phrases (alphabetical order, separated by semicolons).
  • Complete structure: Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion, Conclusion.
  • Minimum 30–40 references.
  • 70–80% of references from journals or research publications.
  • 70–80% of references published within the last 5–10 years.
  • All journal references include DOI (if available).

Citation

  • All quotations and paraphrases include in-text citations.
  • Consistent citation format: (Author, Year) or (Author, Year, p. X).
  • Direct quotations > 40 words use block quotes with citation.
  • No footnotes for citations (footnotes only for additional notes).
  • All cited works appear in the reference list.
  • No references appear in the list without being cited.
  • Alphabetical order is correct.
  • Hanging indent (1.27 cm) applied.
  • All journals include DOI (if available).
  • Correct capitalization:
  • Sentence case for article/book titles
  • Title Case for journal titles
  • URLs are active and accessible.
  • Arabic name transliteration is consistent.
  • Reference manager used (Mendeley/Zotero/EndNote).
  • APA 7th edition citation style applied.
  • All entries complete (no “[s.n.]”, “[s.l.]”, or missing fields).

Ethics

  • Manuscript is original and unpublished.
  • Plagiarism-free (<20%).
  • Author identities removed from manuscript (for blind review).
  • Cover letter attached.
  • Author statement attached.
  • Conflict of interest statement attached.

Administration

  • All authors are registered with complete data.
  • Corresponding author is clearly indicated.
  • Active email address provided.
  • ORCID iD included (if available).

 

REVIEW PROCESS

Initial Editorial Review (3–5 days)

During this stage, the editor conducts:

  • Assessment of the manuscript’s relevance to the journal’s scope
  • Format and document completeness check
  • Plagiarism screening (Turnitin/iThenticate)
  • Desk rejection if the manuscript does not meet basic criteria

Double-Blind Peer Review (4–6 weeks)

  • The manuscript is sent to at least two expert reviewers in the relevant field.
  • Reviewers evaluate:

               Originality and novelty

               Research methodology

               Quality of analysis and discussion

               Significance of the contribution

               Quality of writing

  • Each reviewer provides detailed comments and a recommendation.

Editorial Decision (within 7 days after review completion)

Possible decisions include:

  • Accepted: Manuscript accepted without revision (rare)
  • Minor Revision: Minor revisions required (1–2 weeks)
  • Major Revision: Substantial revisions required (3–4 weeks)
  • Rejected: Manuscript declined

Revision by Authors

  • Authors revise the manuscript based on reviewers’ comments
  • A Response to Reviewers document must be submitted
  • Failure to respond within the specified time frame will result in the manuscript being considered withdrawn

Re-Review (if necessary)

  • For major revisions, the revised manuscript may be sent back to reviewers
  • The editor ensures all comments have been adequately addressed

Final Decision

  • Accepted for Publication: Manuscript proceeds to the editing stage
  • Rejected: Manuscript declined after revision

Reviewer Evaluation Criteria

Reviewers will evaluate the manuscript based on the following criteria:

Originality and Contribution (30%)

  • Novelty of the topic or approach
  • Contribution to the advancement of knowledge
  • Distinction from previous studies
  • Significance of the findings

Methodology (25%)

  • Clarity and appropriateness of the methods
  • Alignment between methods and research objectives
  • Validity and reliability of the data
  • Transparency of the research process

Analysis and Discussion (25%)

  • Depth and rigor of the analysis
  • Accuracy of interpretation
  • Engagement with relevant literature
  • Ability to address research questions

Quality of Writing (10%)

  • Clarity of structure
  • Logical flow and coherence
  • Use of academic language
  • Grammar and spelling

References and Citation (10%)

  • Up-to-date literature
  • Relevance of sources
  • Completeness of citations
  • Consistency of formatting

Manuscript Revision

Revision Guidelines:

Response to Reviewers

  • Authors must prepare a separate document containing responses to each reviewer’s comment.
  • Recommended format: table with four columns
    No | Reviewer Comment | Author Response | Changes Made in Manuscript
  • Professional, respectful, and constructive tone is required.

Example: Response to Reviewers

RESPONSE TO REVIEWERS
Manuscript ID: MFS-2024-001
Title: [Manuscript Title]

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the reviewers for their constructive comments. Below are our responses:

REVIEWER 1

No

Reviewer Comment

Author Response

Changes Made

1

The introduction is too long and needs more focus.

We have revised the introduction to make it more concise and focused on the research gap.

pp. 3–4, paragraphs 2–5 have been revised.

2

The methodology section requires more details on the analytical techniques.

Additional explanation on the data analysis techniques has been included.

p. 6, paragraph 3 added.

REVIEWER 2

(and so on…)

Marking Revisions

  • Use highlighting or track changes for major revisions
  • Indicate page and paragraph numbers for each revision

Revision Deadlines

  • Minor revision: 2 weeks
  • Major revision: 4 weeks
  • Extensions may be requested with a clear justification

Re-submission

  • Upload the revised manuscript via the OJS system
  • Upload the Response to Reviewers as a supplementary file
  • Include a brief note to the editor in the submission system

Proofreading and Copyediting

After acceptance, the manuscript will undergo:

Copyediting

  • Grammar and spelling corrections
  • Formatting according to journal style
  • Terminology consistency

Author Proofreading

  • Authors review the galley proof
  • Time allowed: 3–5 days
  • Only minor corrections (typos, formatting) are allowed
  • Substantive changes are not permitted

Layout and Production

  • Manuscript formatted using the journal template
  • DOI assignment
  • Preparation for online publication

 

PUBLICATION FEES

Jurnal Mufassir applies an open access policy to ensure that all published research can be freely accessed by the global scholarly community.

To support the sustainability of the publication process, Jurnal Mufassir charges an Article Processing Charge (APC).

Article Submission Fee: IDR 0

Authors are not required to pay any submission fee.

The initial screening and review process are conducted free of charge.

Article Processing Charge (APC): IDR 150,000

This fee is applied only after the manuscript has been accepted for publication through the peer-review process.

Important:
The willingness or ability to pay the APC does not influence the editorial decision. Manuscripts are accepted solely based on their academic quality and scholarly merit.

 

COPYRIGHT AND LICENSE

Copyright

  • Authors retain the copyright of their work.
  • The journal holds the first publication right.
  • Authors may distribute their published article elsewhere, provided that the original publication in Jurnal Mufassir is acknowledged.

Creative Commons License

All articles are published under:

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

This license allows users to:

  • Share
    Copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.
  • Adapt
    Remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose.
  • Free
    Use the material free of charge for all purposes, including commercial uses.

Under the following terms:

  • Attribution
    Appropriate credit must be given, a link to the license provided, and any changes indicated.
  • ShareAlike
    If the material is remixed, transformed, or built upon, the resulting contributions must be distributed under the same license (CC BY-SA 4.0).

 

Author Rights

Authors are permitted to:

  • Upload the article to an institutional repository.
  • Share the article with colleagues.
  • Use the article for teaching purposes.
  • Include the article in a dissertation, thesis, or compilation.
  • Promote the article on social media or academic networks.

Conditions:

  • The original publication in Jurnal Mufassir must be acknowledged.
  • The article’s DOI must be included.
  • The content of the article may not be altered.

 

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

In accordance with the principles of Open Science and Transparency, authors are encouraged to share their research data. Please select one of the following formats and include it at the end of the manuscript (before the References section):

1.Data available in a public repository with DOI

Data Availability Statement: "The data supporting this study are openly available in [Repository Name] at DOI: [https://doi.org/xxxxx]."

2.Data available in a repository without DOI

Data Availability Statement: "The dataset analyzed during the current study is available at: [URL]."

3.Data available upon request

Data Availability Statement: "The data supporting this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. The data are not publicly available due to [state reason: participant privacy/data sensitivity/etc.]."

4.Third-party data

Data Availability Statement: "Restrictions apply to the availability of these data. The data were obtained from [third party] and are available from the authors with permission from [third party]."

5.No new data created

Data Availability Statement: "No new data were created or analyzed in this study. Data sharing is not applicable to this article."

6.Data available within the article or supplementary materials

Data Availability Statement: "The data supporting this study are included within the article and its supplementary materials."

 

MANUSCRIPT TEMPLATE

The manuscript template in MS Word format can be downloaded at:

[TEMPLATE DOWNLOAD LINK]

 

CLOSING REMARKS

This guideline has been prepared to assist authors in preparing high-quality manuscripts that meet international publication standards. For further information or inquiries, please contact the editorial office.

Thank you for your contribution to Jurnal Mufassir!

 

Version: 1.0 Effective Date: 24 November 2025 Last Updated: 24 November 2025

 

This guideline adheres to the publication ethics standards of COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) and reflects best practices from Springer, Elsevier, and other leading international publishers.