Qur’anic Sciences and Approaches to Exegesis
This module aims to introduce the student, with no or little academic background on the Qur’an, to two types of Qur’anic studies: Qur’anic sciences (which consists of scholarly disciplines related to the study of the Qur’an, examining subjects such as the revelation of the Qur’an, its compilation and structure); and the methods and approaches to Qur’anic exegesis (tafsīr) (which explores how religious knowledge is derived from the Qur’an). Sunsequently, it will equip students with important insights into these key areas of Qur’anic study, which will assist them to a better understanding of the Book and the works of pioneering exegetes, providing a solid basis for their future years of study and research.
The Qur’anic Sciences part of the module examines:
1
What is meant by Revelation?
2
The seven modes (aḥruf) of the Qur’an and different recitations (qirā’āt)
3
Clear and ambiguous verses (muḥkam and mutashābih)
4
Abrogation (naskh)
5
The question of alteration and distortion of the Qur’an (taḥrīf)
6
Compilation of the Qur’an
7
Relevant concepts of Qur’anic sciences, such as: the disjointed letters (ḥurūf muqaṭṭa‘ah), reasons of revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl), and the arrangement of verses and chapters of the Qur’an.
The Approaches to Exegesis part of the module examines:
1
The historical development of Qur’anic exegesis, especially during the time of the Prophet, his Companions, Successors and Imams from the Ahl al-Bayt
2
The need for Qur’anic exegesis, its possibility and permissibility
3
The concept of ta’wīl (esoteric interpretation) and its accepted criteria
4
Exegetical methods and approaches
5
The expertise required by an exegete
6
Sources used in exegesis
The teacher for this subject is Mr. Makki and the text book is:Ma’rifat, M.H. (2014). Introduction to the Sciences of the Qur’an. Translated from Arabic by S. Rossier and M. Limba. Tehran. SAMT.