The Survey of The Quranic Studies of Orientalists in the Last 150 Years
Abstract
This study traces the evolution of Western Qur’anic scholarship from its early beginnings in the eighth century CE to the present, highlighting both its methodological advances and persistent limitations. Using a descriptive-critical approach, it examines Orientalist contributions over the past 150 years, noting the shift from purely textual analyses to the incorporation of sociological, psychological, phenomenological, and archaeological methods, particularly from the seventeenth century onward. While these approaches expanded the scope of Qur’anic studies and enriched their content, methodological progress remains incomplete, as dialectical and dogmatic tendencies continue to dominate. At the same time, more balanced and objective perspectives have begun to emerge in recent decades, signaling a gradual move toward greater fairness. The study concludes that despite significant achievements, Western Qur’anic scholarship still suffers from preconceived assumptions and biased judgments, leaving Orientalist work in this field vulnerable to serious challenges and shortcomings.
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