An Analysis on the Relationship between Qira at and Interpretation: The Role of Administrators in the Transformation of Society in the Context of 16th verse of Surat al-Isra

Different qira'ats of the Qur'an play an important role in revealing the depth of meaning and accuracy of a verse. The qira'ats contribute not only to the difference of sounds but also to the nuances of meaning. Each qira'at can reveal various aspects of the meaning of a verse so that the richness and scope of the text are better understood. On the other hand, the qira'ats sometimes support each other and reinforce the meaning expressed. One of the factors that ensure the correct understanding of the verses of the Holy Qur'an is different qira'ats. Qira'ats not only differ in recitation but also reinforce the meaning of the verses, complementing each other. An example of this is the word (sic) in verse 16 of Surat al-Isra', which has been recited in three different ways by various qira'at-i 'asere imams. Despite the variations in recitation, all three qira'ats ultimately convey the meaning of 'ruler' or 'administrator.' In the 16th verse of Surat alIsra', the bad behavior of the mutrafs (wealthy, spoiled individuals) is highlighted as a factor that leads to the collapse of society. The mutrafs negatively impact on society through their luxurious lifestyles, contributing to its downfall. Therefore, the behavior of individuals with high social status is crucial. This verse emphasizes the harmful effects of mutrafs on society, and the study focuses on the detrimental role that such rulers play in shaping societal conditions. The research argues that there is a clear relationship between rulers and people, emphasizing that the people choose their rulers. For instance, when the choice is made in favor of a mutraf (spoiled, wealthy individual), society effectively chooses its downfall. The influence and authority of such corrupt leaders lead the people towards evil. In this context, the study aims to analyze the effect of differences in Qur'anic interpretations on the meaning of the verse, particularly focusing on its connection to the mutrafs who drive society towards destruction. Another key objective is to demonstrate that despite variations in qira'ats (recitation styles), the interpretations remain aligned with a common meaning, showing that changes in the morphological structure of the word do not significantly alter the overall message. This is one of the main reasons for analyzing this verse. The focus of the research is to establish a link between the leadership qualities of the mutrafs and the meaning of 'ruler' as expressed in the word that differs in the Qur'an. In this way, the examination aims to fill the gap between the science of Qira'at and socio-political studies. One of the well-known criticisms of Qira'at is that it is often criticized in terms of linguistic rules. However, this study argues that it is not the case in the verse under study. In this context, the choice of qira'at was made for theological reasons and added importance to the study. The primary sources of this study are the books of Qira'at and Tafsir, as well as other relevant sources. The study employs textual analysis to first present the variants of qira'at, then examines the meanings conveyed by the word through these variants and their impact on Qur'anic interpretation. At the final stage, the negative effects of the mutrafs (wealthy and corrupt individuals) on society are discussed. The work finds that the differences in Qur'anic versions do not result in significant changes in meaning; instead, they complement each other, as all versions relate to the concept of 'ruler' within the structure of the word. It concludes that the leadership qualities and moral failings of the mutrafs contribute to the destruction of society, and this interpretation is consistent across the various Qur'anic versions.