The Qur'an in the modern world
Muslims believe that the Qur'an is God's word, as told to the Prophet Mohammed in Arabic through the angel Gabriel in the 7th century. Today, as the community's social needs have almost entirely changed since that time, should this holy book be interpreted differently?
"Yes," says Prof. Abdullah Saeed, a noted Muslim scholar.
Saeed, the Sultan of Oman Professor of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Melbourne, Australia, challenged a widely held traditional view - that the Qur'an is God's eternal speech and is therefore unrelated to any particular context.
"This is a key issue in the 21st century today as [Muslim] scholars are dealing with human rights, gender equality, citizenship, rights of non-Muslims, especially in relation to the ethical/legal texts [in the Qur'an]," Saeed told the participants - academics, research students, clergy and journalists - at the Witherspoon Institute's recent seminar, "The Quran in the Modern World," held at the Princeton Theological Seminary.
"From a traditional view of Islam, you must look at how the Qur'an explains itself, then go to the traditions of the Prophet [Hadith, meaning reports of statements or actions of Muhammad, or of his tacit approval or criticism of something said or done in his presence], and then to the first generations [of Muslims] as to how they understood the text." Saeed said.
The view that a change in social and political realities can have no bearing on the interpretation of the Qur'an leads many to reduce exegesis to a mere linguistic exercise, said Saeed, who spent his early education at traditional Islamic seminaries in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
The Qur'an, Saeed said, was an oral text for 22 years at the time of the Prophet. The very first word revealed to the Prophet was "recite." "The spoken word functions in a specific context," he stressed. "For those who were in immediate contact with the Prophet, the question of interpretation as a formal endeavour did not arise, as the Qur'an was coming to them in their own language, in bits and pieces, and in a particular context - social, political, economic, cultural, intellectual. It made perfect sense to them; they could relate to it."
"The writing [of the Qur'an] was done to preserve," Saeed said. Part of the Qur'an had been written down during the time of the Prophet, but it was put together as a book after his death. When the Qur'an was written down and became a closed book, "it lost something very important: the big picture or the overall context."
That's natural for any text, not just the Qur'an, Saeed said. "When a text moves to another time, we try to reconstruct that big picture. We go back, as much as we can, to that period or time." And today, "we have a cumulative tradition of what that big picture was like. But what we have is an incomplete sense of that big picture."
Comments
Add a Comment
http://www.healthalternativetherapies.com I believe the truth with your Blog and I will be coming returning to analyze it more later on so please keep up your act.
His style of teaching is awesome.He is getting popularity for his har working an vast knowledge.live show
You made some decent points there. I looked on the internet for the issue and found most individuals will go along with with your website. I will actually try these tips and let you know how they work out! check here
Another great post, I appreciate all the work you put into this site, helping out others with your fun and creative works.
Another great post, I appreciate all the work you put into this site, helping out others with your fun and creative works.
A long, long, time ago, during a press conference with Rep.
addicting games
Thanks for sharing your great ideas with us through this site.
custom logo designs
This post truly made my day. You can’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks. definition essay ideas
Well, this is pretty informative for Muslim's point of view for their faith. But still, it will depend on a certain person what to lean on and look at for their own point of view. -Scott Sohr
Great items from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you're simply too fantastic. I actually like what you've acquired here, certainly like what you are stating and the best way wherein you assert it. You make it entertaining and you continue to take care of to stay it smart. I cant wait to learn far more from you. That is actually a wonderful site.last longer in bed
you are posting an amazing submit talk about reputable information their step up my very own information creating total should be to good quality swiftly realize over-all good function. you can visit Media buying in Dubai get cheap Advertising agency in Dubai and buying many other Digital media Dubai services.
Qu'ran is the best source of all things. Modern world should realize this truth.muzeekworld
You make me think about this. i never give it a deep thought.best instructional sex videos
Qur'an is God's word. Every muslim trust this by heart. They are so devoted to Qu'ran.San Ramon Divorce Lawyer
Really Qu'ran is a great source of everything.IT is a complete way of life.http://www.bestcustomwriting.com/math-problems
It was a beneficial workout for me to go through your webpage. It definitely stretches the limits with the mind when you go through very good info and make an effort to interpret it properly. I am going to glance up this web site usually on my PC. Thanks for sharingcitizenship by investment
Its really very best and useful site for all,I am using it from a long time,I really got many information from this site.
facilitate essay | write a essay | UK Graduation essay
Post is nicely written and it contains many good things for me.buy an essay
Great blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What host are
you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
Love it all totally a marvelous piece of work thanks for making it good.Logo Design Service|Banner design service|Landing page by Logopearl.com|Flash Banner Design Online|Custom Brochure Design|
I’ve seen progression in every post. Your newer posts are simply wonderful compared to your posts in the past. Keep up the good work.
portabel flödesmätare
Thanks for the unmatchable diary.it was rale useful for me.navigator sharing specified ideas in the instant as symptomless.this was actually what i was labour for,and i am voluntary to came here!
This is a really quality post.I find this information through Google Search engine. I read your Article very carefully it is really very informatic Article,I bookmarked your site.
This is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here keep up the good work
I think this is a real great article post.Really looking forward to read more. Want more.
This subject has interested me for quite some time. I have just started researching it on the Internet and found your post to be informative. Thanks.. cell phone spyware
Saeed proposes that Muslim scholars today should explore the tradition in light of contemporary experience, including modern knowledge and method of research.
Galaxy S3 case Muslims regard hadith of the Prophet as a commentary on the Qur'an,
Nokia's Lumia 920 could represent a last throw of the dice for the once dominant Finnish company, who is attempting to provide a valid alternative to S5830 Android 2.3 and Google's Android devices at the top-end of the smartphone market.