Examining and criticizing the views of Orientalists regarding the repetition of Qur'anic stories with an emphasis on the purposefulness of the surahs (centered on the story of Hazrat Ibrahim (pbuh))

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Corresponding Author, PhD in Quran and Hadith Sciences, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Knowledge, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran

2 sinaweb

3 Member of the Scientific Association of the Quran and Orientalists of the Seminary, Qom, Iran,

4 Ph.D. student, Department of Educational Sciences, Qur'anic and Hadith Sciences, Faculty of Theology, Ilam University

10.22034/jqopv.2025.15315.1310

Abstract

From the viewpoint of Orientalists, the repetition of stories in the Qur’an has often been cited as evidence of a lack of coherence and structural unity within its sūrahs. In contrast, Muslim scholars regard this repetition as one of the aspects of the Qur’an’s rhetorical miracle, serving functions such as eloquence and rhetorical effectiveness, guidance and moral instruction, completing narrative images, and demonstrating its miraculous and inimitable nature. This study, employing a descriptive-analytical method, investigates the doubts raised about the repetition of Qur’anic narratives and critiques Orientalist views in this regard, with an emphasis on the purposeful design of the sūrahs. For this purpose, verses that are the subject of this challenge are identified, and by reflecting on the views of classical and contemporary exegetes, the wisdom behind the repetition of stories is explored. In this context, the story of Prophet Abraham (AS) - one of the most frequently repeated narratives in the Qur’an - is selected and analyzed. Examining the purpose and context of the verses within each sūrah and comparing them with the diverse aims of the narrative in other sūrahs reveals that the primary objective of repeating stories in the Qur’an is to utilize them in alignment with the specific objectives of each sūrah. The story of Abraham (AS) was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at different times, pursuing goals such as calling to monotheism, warning the polytheists by recounting the fate of past peoples, consoling the Prophet, relating the history of previous communities, and arguing against polytheism

Keywords

References

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The Qur’an from Orientalists Point of View
Volume 20, Issue 38
March 2025
Pages 351-388

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  • Receive Date: 16 March 2025
  • Revise Date: 13 April 2024
  • Accept Date: 12 May 2025

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