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The Minimalist Lifestyle as Qur’anic Practice: A Living Qur’an Study of Surah Al-A‘raf Verse 31 among UIN Sunan Kudus Students

TAFSE: Journal of Qur'anic Studies · Vol. 10 No. 1 (2025) · pp. 70–82

DOI
10.22373/tafse.v10i1.30376
ISSN
2775-5339, 2620-4185
Published
2025-06-30
Publisher
Program Studi Ilmu Al-Qur'an dan Tafsir Fakultas Ushuluddin dan Filsafat, UIN Ar-Raniry
Language
eng
License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0

Abstract

This study explores how students at UIN Sunan Kudus interpret and practice the message of Surah Al-A‘raf verse 31 through the adoption of a minimalist lifestyle. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach within the Living Qur’an framework, the research investigates how this verse functions not as a distant command, but as a daily reference for living with purpose, moderation, and awareness. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and participant observation involving 15 students who had adopted minimalist habits for at least six months. The findings show that the call to avoid isrāf (excess) is understood by students as a principle that shapes their choices in spending, organizing priorities, and managing time. Minimalism, in their view, reflects Islamic values such as moderation (wasatiyyah), contentment (qanā‘ah), and gratitude. It also supports clarity of mind, self-restraint, and a more focused approach to both academic and spiritual life. Several students described how this practice helped them respond to social pressures and consumerist habits within their peer and family environments. Rather than being seen as a trend or ideal, minimalism became part of how they carried their faith into daily routines. Surah Al-A‘raf verse 31, as they lived it, offered practical guidance in navigating choices—grounded not in theory, but in the rhythm of ordinary life.

Keywords

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11 authors · 15 co-authorship links

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Co-authorOrganisationJoint articles
Suroso SurosoAffiliation unknown2
Erni SuhariniAffiliation unknown2
Fahrudin FahrudinAffiliation unknown1
Nurul JannahAffiliation unknown1
Anisa Tri RahayuAffiliation unknown1
Teguh GumilarAffiliation unknown1
Muhamad MustaqimAffiliation unknown1
Moh MuhtadorAffiliation unknown1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://jurnal.ar-raniry.ac.id/index.php/tafse/oai, first harvested 7 Nov 2026, last seen 7 Nov 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
<oai_dc:dc xmlns="http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:oai_dc="http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/oai_dc/" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/oai_dc/  http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/oai_dc.xsd">
	<dc:title xml:lang="en">The Minimalist Lifestyle as Qur’anic Practice: A Living Qur’an Study of Surah Al-A‘raf Verse 31 among UIN Sunan Kudus Students</dc:title>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Lestari, Dwi Ayu</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Atabik, Ahmad</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Muzakky, Althaf Husein</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Living Qur’an</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">minimalist lifestyle</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Surah Al-A‘raf verse 31</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">isrāf</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">youth religiosity</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">ethical consumption</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">phenomenology</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en">This study explores how students at UIN Sunan Kudus interpret and practice the message of Surah Al-A‘raf verse 31 through the adoption of a minimalist lifestyle. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach within the Living Qur’an framework, the research investigates how this verse functions not as a distant command, but as a daily reference for living with purpose, moderation, and awareness. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and participant observation involving 15 students who had adopted minimalist habits for at least six months. The findings show that the call to avoid isrāf (excess) is understood by students as a principle that shapes their choices in spending, organizing priorities, and managing time. Minimalism, in their view, reflects Islamic values such as moderation (wasatiyyah), contentment (qanā‘ah), and gratitude. It also supports clarity of mind, self-restraint, and a more focused approach to both academic and spiritual life. Several students described how this practice helped them respond to social pressures and consumerist habits within their peer and family environments. Rather than being seen as a trend or ideal, minimalism became part of how they carried their faith into daily routines. Surah Al-A‘raf verse 31, as they lived it, offered practical guidance in navigating choices—grounded not in theory, but in the rhythm of ordinary life.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Program Studi Ilmu Al-Qur'an dan Tafsir Fakultas Ushuluddin dan Filsafat, UIN Ar-Raniry</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2025-06-30</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion</dc:type>
	<dc:type xml:lang="en">Peer-reviewed Article</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://jurnal.ar-raniry.ac.id/index.php/tafse/article/view/30376</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.22373/tafse.v10i1.30376</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en">TAFSE: Journal of Qur'anic Studies; Vol. 10 No. 1 (2025); 70-82</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2775-5339</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2620-4185</dc:source>
	<dc:language>eng</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://jurnal.ar-raniry.ac.id/index.php/tafse/article/view/30376/11837</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">Copyright (c) 2025 Dwi Ayu Lestari,  Ahmad Atabik, Althaf Husein Muzakky</dc:rights>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0</dc:rights>
</oai_dc:dc>