Reconsideration of Contemporary Scholars  Concerning Reasons of Revelation of the Qur’ān

Yahya Ahmad Salman Jalal

doi:10.32350/jitc.162.05

Authors

Yahya Ahmad Salman Jalal University of Jordan , Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5738-8654

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32350/jitc.162.05

Keywords:

contemporary scholars, Faḍl ʻAbbās, reasons for revelation, reconsideration, the Qur’ān

Abstract

This article aims to explore the contribution of an influential modern scholar to the field of Asbāb Nuzūl al-Qur’ān. Professor Faḍl ʻAbbās (1932-2011) is a prominent figure in modern Qur’ānic scholarship. He devoted great attention to Qur’ānic studies in general and to the discipline of reasons for revelation in particular. Concerning this discipline, Faḍl criticized previous scholars and offered alternative views regarding several theoretical and practical issues. The current paper employs mixed methodologies, namely, the inductive, analytical, comparative, and critical methods to trace the issues at which Faḍl differs from earlier scholars. Later, these modern viewpoints are analyzed, compared with other scholars’ views and assessed. The paper shows that Faḍl provides fresh insights covering theoretical dimensions and examples related to the subject. This current study investigates Faḍl’s analysis of three narrations of reasons as well as other theoretical issues, mainly giving the Qur’ānic context priority over the authenticity of the narration and the refusal of the possibility of multiple revelations for a single reason. It is concluded that the reconsiderations provided by Faḍl are inconsistent with the discipline of reasons for revelation since it is primarily based on narrations. Additionally, the paper deals with the objections raised by him and shows that they can be adequately addressed and answered.

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