“Deviant” Qur’anic Interpretation in Indonesia: Reading Lia Eden’s Defense of the Claim to Prophethood

Al Makin, - (2019) “Deviant” Qur’anic Interpretation in Indonesia: Reading Lia Eden’s Defense of the Claim to Prophethood. In: New Trends in Qurʾanic Studies: International Qurʾanic Studies Association Studies in the Qurʾān. Lockwood Press, Atlanta, Georgia, pp. 249-260. ISBN 978-1-948488-18-1

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Abstract

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.

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