The Theology of Divine Laughter: A Superiority Theory Analysis of Ḍaḥik Allāh in Hadith and Its Theological Implications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54298/jk.v9i1.1068Keywords:
Divine Attributes, Superiority Theory, Hadith, Islamic Theology, Daḥik AllāhAbstract
This research examines the attribute of divine laughter (ḍaḥik Allāh) from the perspective of prophetic traditions (ḥadīth) through the lens of Superiority Theory. The study is motivated by the complexity of understanding anthropomorphic attributes (ṣifāt khabarīyah), which are susceptible to both anthropomorphic interpretation (tashbīh) and complete negation of meaning (taʿṭīl). This research aims to analyze the construction of meaning of divine laughter in ḥadīth narratives by employing the framework of superiority theory from the philosophy of comedy. The method employed is qualitative with a textual analysis approach to ḥadīth. The findings reveal two patterns of interpretation: first, through the strong claim mechanism in the ḥadīth of two men who killed each other, divine laughter affirms the supremacy of divine power over the limitations of human logic; second, through the weak claim mechanism in the ḥadīth of ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib's supplication, divine laughter represents divine acknowledgment of the servant's awareness of his own limitations. This study concludes that an interdisciplinary approach integrating ḥadīth sciences, Islamic theology, and modern comedy philosophy is effective in maintaining the principle of tanzīh (divine transcendence) while simultaneously understanding the profound meanings behind the attributes of God.
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