An Analysis of the Main Presuppositions of the Orientalists’ Quranic Studies with an Emphasis on the Orientalists of the United States of America

Document Type : Scholary

Authors

1 َAssistantProfessor, Department of Quran and Orientalism, al-Mustafa International University, Qum, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Quran and Orientalism, al-Mustafa International University, Qum, Iran

Abstract

Clarifying and analyzing the presuppositions of non-Muslim Quranic 
scholars is one of the most essential topics in Quranic studies. The main 
Question of current research is what are the main bases or presuppositions 
of the Orientalists behind their different opinions regarding the Quran, 
especially its origin, which often causes serious differences in their 
perceptions with Islamic understanding. This research, with the method of 
description and critical analysis, and by ignoring topics such as the 
adaptation of the Quran from other religions and cultures, or being 
influenced by contemporary culture and the like, has highlighted the main 
and hidden presuppositions behind the Orientalists’ works. In fact, the 
most important and basic presuppositions of Orientalists, in Islamic 
Studies in general and Quranic studies in particular, are the following: 
Seeing Quran as non-revealed or as human text; refuting the prophethood 
and mission of Prophet Muhammad; considering Islam as an ethnic 
religion; regarding the Islamic narrative about the history of Islam and the 
Quran as invalid. 

Keywords

The Quran: Contemporary Studies
Volume 2, Issue 3
Second year, Number 3, Spring 2023
June 2023
Pages 6-21

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