Critique of “Understanding the Quran in Light of the Prophetic Tradition” in the Thoughts of Gabriel Reynolds

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Corresponding Author, PhD in Quran and Hadith Sciences, Department of Quranic Sciences and Jurisprudence, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Knowledge, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran:

2 Associate Professor, Department of Quranic Sciences and Jurisprudence, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Knowledge, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran:

10.22034/jqopv.2025.10332

Abstract

In his book The Qurʾān and Its Biblical Subtext, Gabriel Reynolds challenges the understanding of the Qur’an based on medieval interpretations, which largely rely on the biography of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Explaining his opposition to this approach, Reynolds, while citing the skepticism of some Western scholars regarding the historical reliability of the sīrah, argues that the Qur’anic text itself never intended to be structured around the life experiences of a single individual. Contrary to the prevalent view among Qur’anic scholars that the details of the Prophet’s life are key to unlocking the meanings of its verses, Reynolds asserts that even with the extensive recording of the Prophet’s biography, Islamic exegesis sometimes struggles to grasp the literal meanings of Qur’anic words and verses. He regards Islamic tafsīr literature as post-Qur’anic and belonging to later periods, which, over time, have drifted from the original content of the Qur’an; thus, he concludes that one cannot rely on them for understanding the Qur’an.
This study, aiming to critically analyze Reynolds’ perspective, employs a descriptive-analytical method and a critical approach to examine and critique his arguments. The findings show that Muslim exegetes never intended to confine the meanings of the verses solely to the Prophet himself; rather, their recourse to the sīrah was a means of utilizing the “situational context” to better comprehend the verses. Moreover, in Islamic exegesis, the sīrah is not seen as the sole tool for understanding the Qur’an but as one among several interpretive aids. Therefore, difficulties in understanding certain words or expressions cannot be attributed merely to the inefficacy of the sīrah’s role; instead, a comprehensive examination of all contributing factors is required

Keywords

References

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The Qur’an from Orientalists Point of View
Volume 20, Issue 38
March 2025
Pages 193-226

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  • Receive Date: 10 March 2025
  • Revise Date: 07 April 2025
  • Accept Date: 30 April 2025

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