%0 Book Section
%A Al Makin, -
%B New Trends in Qurʾanic Studies: International Qurʾanic Studies Association Studies in the Qurʾān
%C Atlanta, Georgia
%D 2019
%F digilib:58123
%I Lockwood Press
%K Lia Eden; fatwa; MUI
%P 249-260
%T “Deviant” Qur’anic Interpretation in Indonesia:  Reading Lia Eden’s Defense of the Claim  to Prophethood
%U https://digilib.uin-suka.ac.id/id/eprint/58123/
%X This chapter explores commentaries on the Qur’ān by Lia Aminuddin,  (b. 1947), known as Lia Eden. In 2000 Eden founded a religious group called  the Salamullah, known as the Eden community. She declared herself a mahdī  (Islam’s awaited messiah) who can save Indonesia, and a prophet who warns  the people.1 Her claim to prophethood and the announcement of the new  religion has led to public debates and controversy. The MUI (Council of Indonesian  Ulama) issued a fatwā condemning her and branding her teachings  as “deviant” (sesat). She responded that the MUI was attempting to dominate  the truth and to promote its own political interest. In this chapter I focus on  Lia Eden’s use of qur’anic verses to reinforce the legitimacy of her claim  to prophethood. After presenting a short biography of Lia and her spiritual  journey, I will turn to her Qur’ān commentary.