The Influence of Orientalists on Sunni Sources: A Case Study of Waraqah bin Nawfal

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 . Assistant Professors, Department of Quranic Studies and Hadith, Razavi University of Islamic Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, “Corresponding Author

2 . Graduate, Ph.D. Program in Al-Mustafa International University, Mashhad Branch, Iran;

10.22034/jqopv.2025.15782.1325

Abstract

Researchers hold differing views regarding the objectives of Orientalists in Islamic studies. Regardless of the validity of these views, what is evident from these studies is that Orientalists, through extensive reliance on Sunni exegetical, hadith, and historical sources, have sought to present their assumptions and preconceptions under the guise of impartial research. This study, organized using a descriptive-analytical method and relying on library resources, examines the Orientalists’ reliance on Sunni sources and their misuse of these sources to substantiate their views, with a case study of the entry on Waraqah bin Nawfal in the Encyclopaedia of Islam. The findings of this research reveal that Orientalists, who sometimes question definitive historical accounts, take for granted anything in these sources that can serve as evidence for their claims and anchor their assumptions to such material. By referencing this story, which appears in Sunni historical and hadith sources, they attempt to prove their claim about the non-revelatory nature of the Qur’an. However, this story, in addition to having issues in its chain of transmission, is incompatible with the Qur’an, authentic narrations, reason, and definitive historical evidence. Exaggerating certain minor historical details and presenting probabilities as research findings are among the common practices of Orientalists.

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Main Subjects

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 11 March 2024
  • Revise Date: 31 July 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 November 2024

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