Criticism and evaluation of the role of orientalists in the revival of Quranic manuscripts and manuscript studies

As part of the cultural and religious heritage of the Islamic world, Quranic manuscripts have a special place in Quranic studies. However, many of these manuscripts have been destroyed throughout history due to wars, natural disasters, and neglect. In the meantime, Orientalists have played a significant role in the discovery, preservation, and study of these manuscripts. However, their activities have always been discussed and criticized. On the one hand, their efforts in preserving and restoring Quranic manuscripts are commendable, and on the other hand, their approaches to the Quran as a historical and cultural text have sometimes conflicted with Islamic views. This article aims to critically analyze the role of Orientalists in restoring Quranic manuscripts and examine its effects on manuscript studies, using a descriptive-analytical method and using library and documentary sources.
The findings of the study show that orientalists have played a significant role in preserving the Quranic heritage by discovering important manuscripts such as the Sana’a manuscript and undertaking major digitization projects. They have helped develop new methods in Quranic manuscriptology by using advanced scientific methods such as carbon dating and multispectral imaging. Projects such as the Corpus Quranicum and the Berlin Quran Project are examples of these achievements that have enabled global access to Quranic manuscripts. However, the activities of orientalists have also been accompanied by challenges. Some of them have studied the Quran with Western assumptions that may conflict with Islamic views. For example, the historicist and linguistic approaches of orientalists have sometimes led to claims about distortion or alteration in the Quran, which have been strongly criticized by Islamic scholars. Also, ethical issues in accessing Quranic manuscripts, such as collecting copies without the permission of the original owners, are other challenges to the activities of Orientalists. This article critically analyzes these activities, examines the achievements and challenges of Orientalists in contemporary Quranic studies, and offers suggestions for future research. These suggestions include a comparative study of the methodology of Orientalists and Islamic scholars, an analysis of the effects of Orientalists' activities on contemporary Quranic studies in the Islamic world, and an examination of ethical issues in accessing Quranic manuscripts. These studies can help to better understand the role of Orientalists in Quranic studies and strengthen intercultural dialogue.