Qur’anic Hermeneutics: Between Science, History, and the Bible

341 Pages·2018·2.73 MB·English

by  Abdulla Galadari

Qurʾanic Hermeneutics
Also available from Bloomsbury
The Composition of the Qurʾan, Michel Cuypers
Psychological Hermeneutics for Biblical Themes and Texts, edited by J. Harold
Ellens
The Qurʾan and Modern Arabic Literary Criticism, Mohammad Salama

To the Truth
and all beings who are thirsty for knowledge and truth
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Notes on Transliteration
1 The Science Behind Revelation
2 Interpretation According to the Qurʾan
3 Examples of Intertextual Polysemy from Qurʾanic and Arabic Perspectives
4 The Relationship Between the Qurʾan and the Bible
5 In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit
6 Begotten of God
7 The Incarnation and the Water of Life
8 Allegorical Interpretation
9 Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index of Qurʾanic Verses and Passages
General Index
Preface
This book is a product of years (and perhaps lifetimes) of work in search for
truth and seeking the reality of God. I fully appreciate that some Muslims might
find certain arguments made controversial, especially on the psychological state
of Muḥammad. However, statements made are not meant to offend anyone, but a
sincere search for knowledge and truth. Not a single disrespect is intended in any
way.
I would like the reader to have an open mind. You do not need to agree to all,
part, or any of the arguments. My intention is to provide observations without
necessarily making assertions. I do not want to push any conclusion on you. I
would love for you to draw your own conclusions based on these observations.
The Qurʾan, after all, frequently invites its audience to think, contemplate,
ponder, and reflect upon its words. As such, if I achieve in making you do just
that, then I would accomplish that goal, even if you end up disagreeing with me.
We are all in a journey in pursuit of truth without any hidden agendas or blind
convictions. I am fallible and when we put our minds together we can further
understand and learn from each other what lies behind reality.
I hope you forgive my shortcomings and insanity.
Acknowledgments
I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone who helped me throughout my
life. First, I would like to thank whatever Universal Force or Power that brought
me into existence, and if I do not exist in reality, then whatever that made me
think that I do.
I also like to thank all my family, who both genetically and environmentally
reared me. I especially am appreciative to my late grandmother Zainab, who
took me in her arms as a baby, showered me with her love, and raised me, as
well my late grandfather Abdulla, who took me all around and taught me how to
be human; my parents, Ibrahim and Afaf, and siblings, Hassan, Sarah, and Hind,
who nurtured me and I grew up fondly with; my wife, Fatma, who supported me
and endured my insanity.
I extend my appreciation to the many mentors, friends, and colleagues who
shared with me their wealth of knowledge, such as Alhagi Manta Drammeh,
Gabriel Reynolds, J. Harold Ellens, Ulrika Mårtensson, Gordon Newby, Linda
Joelsson, Zohar Hadromi-Allouche, John Kaltner, David Penchansky, Reuven
Firestone, Martine O’Kane, Luqman Zakariyah, Masoumeh Velayati, Hossein
Godazgar, Michael Pregill, Holger Zellentin, Munʾim Sirry, and the late Andrew
Rippin; as well as the many more whose presence alone provided me with
insightful vibes.
I also wish to thank the anonymous reviewers who provided me with their
invaluable feedback and supported the madness of this book. I would also like to
thank my close friends Ahmad al-Khuraibet and Mansour al-Khouri who stand
with me and support me even when my wild mind delves into the darkness of
caves in search of a spark. I also want to acknowledge my gratitude to Ben and
Diane Blackwell for wonderful discussions and their inspirational friendship.
In addition, I wish to thank the air breeze for allowing me to breathe the
freshness; the sun for lighting our day; the rain for bringing forth living waters;
the darkness for allowing us to see; the bees without whom we will have scarce
fruits; the enemies, who are in dire need of our love; the all for everything its
entirety provides; and the supreme existence in which nothing in reality exists
except it.