<![CDATA[This paper discusses the interpretation of Surah al-Maidah: 38, concerning the law of cutting off hands for the perpetrators of theft. This verse will be studied using a semiotic approach, because the words in the verse is a symbol that needs interpretation. One of the semiotic theories that is interesting to study is Michale Riffaterre's semiotics, which offers a two-level reading method, namely heuristic and hermeneutic reading (retroactive), enhanced by hypogram studies (intertextual). According to him, understanding and revealing the meaning of a literary work is not enough with heuristic reading (meaning according to literal conventions), it is necessary to continue with hermeneutic reading based on interpretation in order to get a deeper and more comprehensive meaning. The results of the application of Michale Riffaterre's semiotics to Surah al-Maidah: 38 are: the word of al-sāriqu wa al-sāriqatu and faqṭa’u aidiyahumā, experiencing dynamics and developments from time to time. The word of Sariq with the basic meaning of "stealing" experiences a creation of meaning which can be interpreted as "corruption", because it has the same elements. While the word of faqṭa’u aidiyahumā, which literally means cutting off a hand, experiences a displacing of meaningwith the meaning of ta'zir (such as a fine, imprisonment, or exile), because the verse is understood in a manner or majazi, not in a common word. Thus, the main message or spirit contained in the verse is not the type of punishment but the "deterrent" effect it causes.]]>
Copyrights © 2020
