Criticism in Qur'anic Studies: its Origins and Controls A Statistical Fundamental Study with a Description of a Proposed Course

Abstract

As the minds of scholars differ in understanding the meanings of the words of God, the effect of this has appeared in their words and writings, and the predecessors – as well as the late interpreters – were not away from this subtle difference in understanding the words of Allah the Almighty. Moreover, if disagreement has occurred in their understanding of the words of their Lord and they are unanimously agreed upon its miraculousness and inability to be criticized, then it is more likely that disagreement can occur in their understanding and perception of each other.

Furthermore, because human thought is susceptible to error, criticism is necessary in order to correct the inaccuracy and progress towards perfection. This universal norm is considered a praiseworthy matter as it results in the cross-fertilization of perceptions, the generation of correctness and the expansion of knowledge. However, it is not free from soul impurities and does not follow the correct route unless it is disciplined by controls and basics agreed upon by the people of knowledge and thought.

This fundamental statistical study came to display the basics and controls of criticism, develop the faculty of criticism in general, and to criticize contemporary Qur’anic studies in particular, as well as to direct researchers to enrich the specialty with more critical studies.

I followed the descriptive inductive approach to the topic, as I defined criticism, the criticism of criticism and the related terms. Then, I mentioned what is related to the problem of criticizing legacy. Henceforth, the research focused on explaining the basics and controls of criticism in Qur’anic studies, with statistics and graphs for the reality of criticism in Qur’anic studies, besides shedding light on examples of critical narrations of the predecessors and the critical opinions of the late comers.

I concluded each chapter with rectification questions and enriching researching ideas. Also, I prepared a description of a proposed study course in the higher studies grade, that is compatible with the controls of the Committee of Rectifying Education and Training.