Interpretation of the Qur`an : a comparative study of the methodologies of Abdolkarim Soroush and Mohammad Mojtahed Shabestari

Abstract

This study compared Mohammad Mojtahed Shabestari and Abdolkarim Soroush’s methodologies of understanding the Qurān. The principles of hermeneutics borrowed and implemented by Shabestari and Soroush were evaluated and compared. It analyses their views on the methodology of understanding the Qurān, the differences in their approaches and their conformity and otherwise of their views with the Islamic worldview. Based upon a qualitative content analysis of their approaches, the study exposed and compared Shabestari and Soroush views on selected significant issues based on their principles of hermeneutics. Moreover, Shabestari and Soroush’s views about the quiddity of the Qurān were identified and compared accordingly. The traditional methodologies and their relation with hermeneutics were examined. The study concludes that according to Shabestari and Soroush, understanding the Qurān does not occur purely and without having presupposition. The study shows that contrary to main stream understanding of Islam, Shabestari and Soroush argue that the Qurān is the words of Prophet Mohammad. While Shabestari did not discuss the nature of revelation, Soroush “dream revelation” theory explains the nature of revelation.