Quranic Studies CourseCentury Welfare Association

Belall Maudarbux20.07.2016

Module Overview

- 4 units: (i) History (ii)Schools of Exegesis(iii)Interpretation methodologies (iv) Contemporary Issues

Objectives: 1- To expose learners to the rich tradition of Quranicstudies from the classical to the contemporary periods in a systematic and organised manner.

2- To equip learners with the required tools and methodology that allow for critical investigation into the different interpretations of the Quranic text.

Learning Outcomes

1- Demonstrate grasp of the basic concepts, principles and approaches covered in the 4 units mentioned above.

2- Use the concepts and principles studied to analyse selected Quranic text and to evaluate the relevance of some pieces of exegetical (tafsir) literature and modern translations.

3- Apply the concepts and principles studied on contemporary issues (women, jihad, tolerance, and environment) to assess the relevance of modern interpretations

Charges- Subsidized by the Century W.A.- One off launch price

Requirements:Full commitment to:- attendance- Homework and readings- Participation & presentations

Overview of Syllabus (refer to syllabus)

What is Quranic Studies? (Ulūm al Qur’ān)A broad discipline that studies the Qur’an, its history, its text, its interpretation, its recitation and its graphic in a systematic manner.

Approaches to the Qur’an: (Mc Auliffe, p7)[2 theories: Mc Auliffe & Abdullah Sa’eed]

1- Polemics: Qur’an as window into the mind of the enemy . [Approach of missionaries]- It is read with a view to refute- A prelude to proselytisation

2- Cultural Curiosity (Exotic): Qur’an is approached as a literary text. An attempt to rank it/find its palce among world literatures [approach of academics: philologist/Historian, comparative religions]

3- Apologetics: Qur’an approached for religious reasons, spiritual enlightenment/rituals… the Qur’an as a sacred text [approach of faithful]

Examples: Peter the VenerableIgnaz GoldziherLeopold Weiss-Muhammad Assad

Abdullah Sa’eed (P.3) Identified 3 approaches to legal/ethical verses

1- Textualist: literal understanding of the text- strict following of the text- the text dictates Islamic conduct and not ‘modern’ needs.[Salafis & traditionalists]

2- Semi-textualist: retain the literal understanding of the text but packaged it in modern jargon[Revivalist movements: Ikhwan & Jamat e Islami]

3- Contextualist: context (socio-political) determine the application of legal/ethical verses. Modern scholar is free to assess what is immutable and changeable in Qur’an.

Fig1: Quraysh of the Hollow (Inner circle)

ggQusay ggZuhra

Abd ManafAbd al Dar

Abd Shams

Abd al Uzza

Al Muttalib Hashim

Abd al Muttalib

10 other sons

Nawfal

6 daughters Abd Lahab Abu Talib Abd Allah

Muhammad

Amina

Ali

FIHR

Abd+othersons

THE QUR’ANIC MILIEU: MECCA & THE QURAYSH

The Quran in Context: Mecca & the QurayshExercise: consider sura 106:1-2: ‘By the covenant of Quraysh. Their covenant

for the winter and summer journey’. What is the meaning of these verse?

Mecca: Holy city Thanks to Ka’ba- Isma’ils progeny settled in the surroundings of Ka’ba- Availability of water : zamzam well since Hagar- Pilgrimage to the shrine was well established- After a fierce battle with Khuza’a clans, Qusayy b. Kilabtook over the custody of Ka’ba.

- He assembled different Quraysh clans and settled them round the vicinity of Ka’ba- The most prestigious clans (higher classes) were closest to the Ka’ba = Quraysh al Bata’ih- Ex: Banu Makhzum- B. Sahm- Banu ‘Adiy- B. Taym, B. Zuhra…

Mecca & the Quraysh

- The less prestigious clans were settled in the outskirts (Quraysh al Żawahir)- ex: Banu Lu’ayy, Banu Fihr…etc

- Qusayy ruled over them with absolute power. He held all the dignified positions relating to the Ka’ba- The head of Banu Qusayy held the keys of Ka’ba; privilege of feeding and giving zamzam to pilgrims; preside assemblies; hand out war banners; exclusive right to allow access to the Ka’ba.

- Quraysh of the outskirts never allowed any of these roles.-A few Quraysh of Bata’ih had one or two roles.

- 10 families/clans of the Quraysh ruled all affairs of Mecca.- These positions were inherited by the sons and grandsons and so on.- The prestige of these positions are due to the appeal of the sanctuary which attracted pilgrims from all over Arabia since time of Isma’il- Positions can change hands if the clans fortunes/wealth changes. Wealth determined social status( B. Nawfal’s-taken by B. Asad)

Politics- Quraysh regarded with deference by all Arabs. They derived political authority over the Arabs because of the custodianship of the Ka’ba- Hence Quraysh secured security covenants (ilaf) for their caravans with nomads/bedouins

- Their customs (idol worship) were emulated by other tribes visiting Mecca.- The 10 families set up the Dar al nadwa (Assembly House) where only they deliberate of the affairs of the cityEconomics- Quraysh levied a tax on all merchants for the purposes of feeding the pilgrims/ administration- Mecca’s strategic position along the Spice Route and convergence centre for pilgrims- Quraysh made several pacts with bedouins tribes as well as the Byzantines and Persians who allowed them to trade in their centres.- Several Quraysh became extremely rich, trading in frankincense, spices and clothes.

The Religious - The Ka’ba and its functions were appropriated by 1 tribe (Quraysh)- All others were excluded- Honorific functions given to wealthiest families- Idols and set up by the Quraysh; Hubal, the biggest of all. Smaller idols for smaller clans.- Care of the idols by the different Quraysh clans entrench their superiority in the mind of the Arabs.- Myths and superstitions entertained to protect from the wraths of the gods and ensure prosperity.- Poets and kahins entrenched these religious mores into the pysche of the people through literary competitions in fairs (e.g ‘Ukaz)- Best verses written in gold and hung onto wall of Ka’ba

Spice Route (700 BCE-200 AD)

Incense Route (700 BCE-200 AD)

Incense Route (700 BCE-200 AD)

Incense Route- REDBronze Age Commercial Route- PurplePilgrimmage Route- Green

Silk Road (200 BCE-200 AD)

The Meccan System: Features - The Appropriation of universal heritage by 1 clan/group- Exclusion of all others- Religion+Politics+economics linked to make up a ‘sealed’ exclusivist oligarchy- Domination & exploitation of all others

Homework: Using the ‘approach’ theory of McAuliffe, how would you classify the following 3 persons: 1- Maurice Bucaille2- Alexander Ross3- Theodor NoldekeGive reasons for your choices.