Analysis of friday sermons published by The Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) in 2020 from the perspective of tafsir (exegesis) science

This research focuses on the exegetical (tafsir) analysis of the sermons (khutbahs) published by the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) throughout the year 2020. Addressing millions of Muslims in Türkiye, these sermons hold significant importance in conveying religious knowledge and shaping social consciousness. Within the scope of this study, the selection process of Quranic verses in the sermons, the methods of interpretation, and the religious and moral messages conveyed to society through these verses are examined. Throughout the research, the verses found in the sermons were analyzed in accordance with the fundamental principles of the science of exegesis (tafsir); the context of each verse, its semantic relations, and its connection to the main theme of the sermon were evaluated. In this phase, both traditional and modern exegetical approaches were utilized, highlighting the depth of meaning and the diversity of interpretation that the verses acquire within the sermons. In the first chapter of the research, the concepts of faith (iman), worship (ibadah), and prophetic modeling are examined, revealing the believer's relationship with Allah as well as their understanding of worship. The second chapter explores the attitudes of believers in the face of disasters and hardships through concepts such as patience (sabr), responsibility, and tawakkul (reliance on God). The third chapter focuses on historical memory, social unity, and Islamic conduct, investigating the role of sermons in the transmission of values and the consciousness of the ummah. In conclusion, this research indicates that the sermons prepared by the Presidency of Religious Affairs are constructed with a Quran-centered concept of guidance (irshad), where verses are treated not merely for informational purposes but as guides for daily life. However, it was observed that in some sermons, the use of verses in an incomplete manner or detached from their context disrupted their semantic integrity. Generally, the sermons of 2020 can be analyzed as texts that integrate the messages of the Quran with modern life, establishing a link between religious awareness and social responsibility.