Karakteristik Da’i dalam Al-Qur’an (Studi Komparasi Tafsir Al-Azhar dan Tafsir Al-Misbah)

Islam, as a religion of rahmatan lil-‘alamin (a mercy to all creation),necessitates the active role of da'i (Islamic preachers) in disseminating its teachings to the wider community. The effectiveness of dakwah (Islamic propagation) is largely contingent upon the personal qualities and character of the da'i themselves. This study aims to explore the ideal characteristics of a da'i from the Qur’anic perspective through a comparative analysis of two
prominent Indonesian Qur’anic exegeses: Tafsir Al-Azhar by Buya Hamka and Tafsir Al-Misbah by M. Quraish Shihab. Employing a qualitative library research method with content analysis of dakwah-related verses, the findings reveal that the ideal da'i is characterized by intellectual competence, noble character, spiritual conviction, and a wise, non-coercive approach to preaching. Hamka emphasizes practical and socio-cultural dimensions, whereas Quraish Shihab delves into the philosophical and spiritual interpretations of the Qur’anic verses. A significant strength of this study lies in its use of two authoritative Nusantara tafsir works, which enrich the contextual understanding of dakwah in the Indonesian setting. However, the study is limited by its narrow source scope and the absence of empirical field
data. It is hoped that this research may serve as a strategic reference in shaping an ideal da'i model that is contextually relevant to contemporary dakwah challenges.