An Examining the Foundations of Orientalist Quranic Studies and Their Impact on Islamic and Quranic Studies in Islamic Societies (with Emphasis on the Subcontinent - Pakistan)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 . PhD in the Field of Quran and Orientalism, Quran and Hadith Higher Education Complex, Al-Mustafa International University. (Pakistan) (Corresponding Author):

2 .Associate Professor and Faculty Member of Imam Sadiq University (AS), Tehran, Iran

10.22034/jqopv.2024.9434

Abstract

Examining and analyzing the foundations and presuppositions of Pakistani Muslim Quranic scholars through an Orientalist lens, given the significant population and status of Muslims in Pakistan, constitutes a critical and essential discourse in the field of Quranic studies. Consequently, this study endeavors to scrutinize the foundational views of Orientalists concerning the Holy Quran and to critically assess their accuracy and validity. The importance and relevance of this topic motivated researchers to employ a descriptive-analytical approach, utilizing Quranic revelations and the exegeses of interpreters, to elucidate and critique the foundations of Orientalist Quranic studies and their impact on Islamic scholarship in Pakistan. The research findings reveal that the most significant and fundamental premises of Orientalists in Islamic studies, particularly in Quranic studies, include: questioning the divine nature of the Quran or proposing its human origin, providing scientific interpretations of Quranic miracles, viewing Islam as a religion confined to a specific ethnic group, perceiving Islamic rulings as pertinent only to a particular historical period, and invalidating Islamic narrations concerning the history of Islam and the Quran. These aforementeioned foundations of Orientalists have a substantial influence on their views, perspectives, positions, and conclusions and have profound implications for Quranic studies in Pakistan.

Keywords


  1. Quran Karim (The Noble Quran), Tarjome: Mohammad Ali Rezaei Esfahani va Jami’i az Asatid Jami’at al-Mustafa (Translation: Mohammad Ali Rezaei Esfahani and a Group of Professors from Al-Mustafa Univeristy), Qom: al-Mustafa, 2nd Edition, 1388 SH (2009 CE).
  2. Abd al-Razzaq, Ali, Al-Islam wa Usul al-Hukm (Islam and the Principles of Governance), Cairo: 1925.
  3. Abduh, Muhammad, Tafsir Surat al-Asr (Exegesis of Surah Al-Asr),p., Cairo: 1926.
  4. Abdul Haq, De Standard English Urdu Dictionary (The Standard English-Urdu Dictionary), Anjuman Urdu Press, Deccan: 1937.
  5. Akram, Muhammad, Istishraq (Orientalism), Shu’ba Urdu Da’irat al-Ma’arif Islamiya, Punjab University, Lahore: 2002.
  6. Alavi, Syed Hossein; Mohammadi, Mohammad Hossein, Tahlil Jaryan-haye Asli Quran Pazhuh-i Mustashriqin Mo’aser (ba Takid bar Amrika) (Analysis of Main Currents of Contemporary Orientalists’ Quranic Studies (with Emphasis on America)), Majalleh Quran-Pazhuh-i Khavv-ar-Shenasi (Orientalists’ Quranic Studies), No. 34, 1402 AH (1982 CE).
  7. Amin, Ahmad, Zu’ama al-Islah fi al-’Asr al-Hadith (The Leaders of Reform in the Modern Era), Cairo: 1948.
  8. Amir Ali, Syed, Ruh-e-Islam (The Spirit of Islam), Translated by Muhammad Hadi Hossein, Idara Saqafat-e-Islamiya, Lahore: 1992.
  9. Armstrong, H.G, “The GrayWolf”, New York, capricon books, 1961.
  10. Muhammad, Islam at the crossroads. Lahore. Arfat Publication.1995.
  11. Muhammad, Islam at the crossroads. Lahore. Arfat Publication.1992.
  12. Charles C. Adams, Islam aur Tahreek-e-Tajaddud (Islam and the Modernist Movement), Translated by Salik, Majlis-e-Taraqqi Adab, Lahore: 2002.
  13. Chriragh Ali, The Proposed Political, Legal and Social Reforms in The Ottoman Empire And Other Muhammdan States, Bombay, 1883.
  14. Dehkhoda, Ali Akbar, Loghatnameh Dehkhoda (Dehkhoda Dictionary), University of Tehran: 2nd Edition, Tehran: 1377 SH (1998 CE).
  15. Dehlavi, Shah Waliullah, Hujjat Allah al-Balighah (The Conclusive Argument from God), Dar al-Ma’arifah, Beirut: 2nd Edition, 2004.
  16. Fakhr-Meybodi, Mohammad, Mabani Tafsir Ravai (Foundations of Traditional Exegesis), Farhang va Andisheh Islami (Islamic Culture and Thought), Qom: 1391 SH (2012 CE).
  17. Fazlu Rahman, Dr, “What is Islamic culture?” The Light, Lahore, March 24, 1973.
  18. Goitien, S. D., "Jews and Arabs: Their Contacts through the Ages" Published by Schocken Books, 1955.
  19. Hali, Maulana Altaf Hossein, Hayat-e-Javed (Eternal Life: Sir Syed Ahmad Khan), Hijra International, Lahore: 1984.
  20. Hamidi, Khalil Ahmad, Nizam-e-Islam Mashahir-e-Islam ki Nazar Main (The System of Islam in the Eyes of Prominent Islamic Figures), Islamic Publications, Lahore: 1963.
  21. Hashimi, Abdul Quddus, Mahnama Fikr wa Nazar (Monthly Mournal Thought and Vision), Islamabad: 1969.
  22. Heikal, Mohamed Hassanein, Hayat Muhammad (The Life of Muhammad), Maktaba Nahdat Misr, Cairo: 1974.
  23. Hitti, P. K. “History of the Arabs, Macmillan Group, 1937.
  24. Hitti, Philip. K, “Islam and the West” Princeton, N.J., Van Nostrand, 1962.
  25. Hourani, Albert, Arabic Thought in the Liberal age, Oxford University press, 1962.
  26. Ibn Hisham, Abdul Malik, Sirat al-Nabi (The Life of the Prophet), Dar al-Jayl, Beirut: 1411 AH (1990 CE).
  27. Idem, Weidenfield and Nicholson, London, 1966.
  28. Ilahi Zaher, Ihsan, Al-Qadianiyya: Dirasat wa Tahlil (The Qadiani Movement: Study and Analysis), Idara Tarjuman al-Sunnah, Lahore: 1395 AH (1975 CE).
  29. Iqbal, Muzaffar, Mutala’at-e-Akademik Mustashriqin dar Mored-e-Quran (Academic Studies of Orientalists on the Quran), Quran-Pazhuh-i Khavv-ar-Shenasi (Orientalists’ Quranic Studies), No. 7, 1388 SH (2009 CE).
  30. Islahi, Shaarfuddin, Mustashriqin, Istishraq aur Islam (Orientalists, Orientalism and Islam), Ma’arif Dar al-Mu’allifin, Azamgarh: 1986.
  31. Kerr, Malcolm H, Islamic Reforms: The Political and Legal theories of Muhammad Abduh and Rashid Rida, Cambrige University press, 1969.
  32. Lahori, Muhammad Ali, Bayan al-Quran (The Explanation of the Quran), Ahmadiyya Anjuman Isha’at-e-Islam, Lahore: 1377 AH (1958 CE).
  33. Longman, Green & co; Pub. by, Supernatural Relegion, London, 1874.
  34. Ma’luf, Louis, Al-Munjid fi al-Lughah wa al-A’lam (Al-Munjid: Dictionary and Encyclopaedia), 23rd Edition, Al-Maktaba al-Sharqiya, Beirut: 2003.
  35. Meerathi, Maulana Badr Alam, Tarjuman al-Sunnah (Representative of the Sunnah), Maktaba Rahmaniya Urdu Bazaar, Lahore: n.d.
  36. Moaddab, Seyyed Reza, Mabani Tafsir Quran (Foundations of Quranic Exegesis), University of Qom Publications, Qom: 1389 SH (2010 CE).
  37. Muhammad Akram Sheikh, Mauj-e-Kausar (The Wave of Abundance), Idara Saqafat-e-Islamiya, Lahore: 1992.
  38. Muhammad Aleem, Uloom al-Hadith Fanni Fikri Tarikhi Mutala (A Technical, Intellectual, and Historical Study of Hadith Sciences), Idara Nashriyat, Lahore: 2009.
  39. Muir, William “The Life of Muhammad”London, Smith, 1858.
  40. Nadvi, Abul Hasan Ali, Al-Islamiyat Bayn Kitabat al-Mustashriqin (Islamic Studies Among the Writings of Orientalists), Mu’assasat al-Risala, Beirut: 1986.
  41. Nadvi, Abul Hasan Ali, Qadianiyat: Mutala’a wa Jaiza (Qadianism: Study and Review), Majlis Nashriyat-e-Islam, Karachi: 1981.
  42. Nisar Ahmad, Mustashriqin aur Mutala’a Seerat (Orientalists and the Study of Sirah), Noqoosh Idara Farogh-e-Urdu, Lahore: 1985.
  43. Parvez, Ghulam Ahmad, Matalib al-Furqan (The Contents of the Quran), Idara Tuloo-e-Islam, Lahore: 1981.
  44. Qasim, Amin, Tahrir al-Mar’a (The Liberation of Women),p., Cairo: 1899.
  45. Rashid Rida, Muhammad, Tafsir al-Manar (The Exegesis of Al-Manar),p. Cairo: 1375 AH (1955 CE).
  46. Sa’idi-Roshan, Mohammad Baqir, Tahlil Zaban Quran va Ravesh-shenasi Fahm-e an (Analysis of Quranic Language and Methodology of Its Understanding), Pazhuheshgah Farhang va Andisheh (Research Institute of Culture and Thought), Qom: 1383 SH (2004 CE).
  47. Saba’ee, Mustafa, Al-Islam wa al-Mustashriqun (Islam and Orientalists), Translated by Salman Shamsi Nadvi, Idara Islamiyat, Lahore: 1971.
  48. Saba’ee, Mustafa, Al-Istishraq wa al-Mustashriqun Ma Lahum wa Ma ‘Alayhim (Orientalism and Orientalists: Their Pros and Cons/ Advantages and Disadvantages), Al-Maktab al-Islami, Beirut: 1405 AH (1985 CE).
  49. Sadruddin, Qadiani, Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya (The Arguments of Ahmadiyya),p., n.p.: 1327 SH (1948 CE).
  50. Said, Edward W, Orientalism, Routedge & Kegan Paul London, 1978.
  51. Said, Edward, Sharq-shenasi (Orientalism), Translated by Muqtadira Qawmi Zaban, Pakistan: 2005.
  52. Sanaullah, Quran ke Bare Mein Mustashriqin ke Nazriyat aur Chand I’tirazat ka Tanqeedi Jaiza (Orientalists’ Views on the Quran and a Critical Review of Some Objections), Al-Qalam, 2009.
  53. Saunders, “A History of Medievel Islam, London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1965.
  54. Sharif, M. M., Tarikh-e-Falsafa dar Islam (History of Philosophy in Islam), Markaz Nashr Danishgahi (Center for University Publications), Tehran: 1370 SH (1991 CE).
  55. Shibli Academy, Azamgarh, Islam aur Mustashriqin (Islam and Orientalists), Dar al-Mu’allifin, India: n.d.
  56. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Tafsir al-Quran ma’ Usul al-Tafsir (Exegesis of the Quran with Principles of Exegesis), Dost Associates, Lahore: 1995.
  57. Smith, Wilferd Cantwell, “Islam in Modern History,‎Princeton University Press; 1st Edition (September 21, 1957).
  58. Soban & Rao, Maulvi Chiragh Ali ki Tafsiri Aara ka Ikhtisari Mutala (A Specific Study of Exegetical Views of Moulvī Chirāgh ‘Alī), Acta-Islamica, January to June 2020.
  59. Syed Abdullah, Sir Syed: Urdu Nasr ka Fanni wa Fikri Jaiza (Sir Syed: A Technical and Intellectual Review of Urdu Prose), Muqtadira Qaumi Zaban, Islamabad: 1994.
  60. C.W, Sir Syed Fikr-e-Islami ki Ta’bir-e-Nau (Reinterpretation of Sir Syed’s Islamic Thought), Translated by Qazi Afzal and Ikram Chughtai, Al-Qamran Enterprises, Lahore: 1998.
  61. Tantawi bin Johari, Al-Jawahir fi Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim (The Gems in the Exegesis of the Noble Quran), Edited by Ahmad Sa’d Ali, Mu’assasat Mustafa Babi Halabi, Cairo: 1355 AH (1936 CE).
  62. Thani, Muhammad, Rasul-e-Akram aur Rawadari (The Holy Prophet and Tolerance), Fazli Sons Limited, Karachi: 1998.
  63. The Oxford Dictionary of English, The biologolical Society: Oxford University Press, 2019.
  64. Wright, “Early Christianity in Arabia” Kessinger Publishing (September 2010).
  65. Zamani, Mohammad Hassan, Mafhum-shenasi, Tarikhcheh wa Dowreh-ha-ye Istishraq (Conceptual Analysis, History, and Periods of Orientalism), Majalleh Quran-Pazhuh-i Khavv-ar-Shenasi (Orientalists’ Quranic Studies), No. 5, 1385 SH (2006 CE).
  66. Zamani, Mohammad Hassan, Mustashriqin wa Quran (Orientalists and the Quran), Daftar Tablighat Islami Hawzeh Elmiyeh Qom: 1385 SH (2006 CE).
  67. Ziya Fokalp, “Turkish Nationalism and Western Cicilization”, New York, 1959.