Critique of the Historical-Critical Approach to Understanding the Quran (Case Study: The Book “The Quran and Historians”)

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Founding Member of the Quran and Orientalists Association of Islamic Seminaries in the Country

10.22034/jqopv.2025.10333

Abstract

This article critically examines the Qur’anic views presented by Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi in his book The Qurʾān and its Historians. In this work, Amir-Moezzi employs a historical-critical approach to analyze the Qur’an and its formation, utilizing modern methods of Qur’anic studies to re-read its history and textual developments. The aim of this study is to analyze and critique his views on the historicity of the Qur’an, its textual evolution, and its relationship with history. The research employs an analytical-critical method, first closely examining the arguments put forth in The Qurʾān and its Historians, then evaluating them with reference to authoritative Islamic and non-Islamic sources — including classical commentaries, works of contemporary Qur’anic scholars, and historical investigations. Additionally, it compares Amir-Moezzi’s perspectives with those of other contemporary Qur’anic researchers such as Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd, Patricia Crone, and Montgomery Watt. The findings indicate that while Amir-Moezzi successfully reconsiders the history of the Qur’an through historical-critical methods, some of his arguments regarding its historicity and textual transformations require reconsideration, as they do not fully align with historical and exegetical evidence. Although his innovative approach is noteworthy, in certain cases it markedly diverges from early Islamic sources and traditional views. Ultimately, this study emphasizes that although The Qurʾān and its Historians is a valuable work in the field of modern Qur’anic studies, some of its claims warrant critical scrutiny and revision. The article suggests that to achieve a deeper understanding of the Qur’an’s history and its developments, a combination of traditional and modern methods should be employed, and that Amir-Moezzi’s views be examined comparatively alongside other contemporary research. 

Keywords

References

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The Qur’an from Orientalists Point of View
Volume 20, Issue 38
March 2025
Pages 227-254

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History

  • Receive Date: 13 March 2025
  • Revise Date: 06 April 2025
  • Accept Date: 02 May 2025

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