Scientific Approach to Quran; Necessities and challenges

Dr. Ali Nasiri (Associate professor of Research Centre of Islamic Culture and Thought)

Abstract:

This article will present the analysis of “scientific approach to Quran” from three perspectives. First, mentioning some reasons, the necessity of this approach is explained. Second (or: From the second perspective), the periods that Muslims have paid special attention to scientific exegesis is investigated and the scientific approach to Quran in this era is briefly studied. Third (or: From the third perspective) the defects and challenges of scientific approach to Quran is considered and two main deficiencies are studied. They are: 1. minimalism in the scientific approach to verses of Quran; 2. extremism in the scientific approach to Quran.

Key expression: Quran, science, interpretation, scientific approach, scientific exegesis.

The Relation between Quranic Statements and Scientific Statements

Dr. Hamid Faqfoor Maqrebi  (Staff member of Shahid Beheshti University)

Abstract:

The relation between Quranic statements, especially Quran’s scientific statements, and the statements of sciences is nowadays a theological-Quranic subject.The term science, in its special meaning, means experimental sciences (natural sciences and humanities) and Quran is revelatory texts brought by prophet of Islam (peace b e upon Him) but interpreter’s understandings might be different.The main statements of Quran have guiding aspects and its scientific statements are introductions and minors for its main statements.This article considers possible relations between Quran’s statements and the science’s statements and the following relations are investigated: relation of being complement, relation of unity and correspondence, relation of being different. It is then shown that there will never be a real contradiction between the two types of statements.

Key expressions: Quran, science, relation, contradiction, scientific exegesis.

Science and the Quran

Ahmad Dallal

Criticism and analysis by: Dr. Mohammad Ali Rezai Isfahani

(Assistant professor and staff member of Universal Centre of Islamic Sciences)

Abstract:

The article “Science and the Quran” by Ahmad Dallal is printed in the Quran Encycolpedia of Liden which includes a report from history of “Quran and science” discussions and presents traditional and modern approaches to this subject. The opinions of Aboo-Reihan Birooni, Qazali, Fakhr Razi, Qartabi, Neishaboori and etc. are presented and the writer suspects that these traditional interpreters have believed in separation of Quran and science. He then states the opinions of Seyyed Jamal Asadabadi, Seyyed Ahmad-Khan Hendi, Tantavi, M. Bucaille, A.Azzindani and etc. who have mentioned the idea of consistency of Quran and science or Quranic scientific miracles and scientific theorizations, or introduce Quran as the source of cognition and in some cases as the final judge. Finally he mentions the approaches of Seyyed Hosein Nasr for example, who introduce the metaphysical and Islamic basis of science and sciences based on sacredness and unity of cognition and he stresses on criticizing the modern science epistemology.

Mentioning various footnotes, the critic evaluates the article and its references and recognizes the historical report of the article incomplete. Then he criticizes the writer’s inference of “separation of Quran and science” from old interpreter’s methods and says that this is wrong. And reminding the different types of scientific interpretations and their criterion, he has investigated the author’s discussions regarding modern approaches to Quran and science and has defended the scientific inimitability of Quran and the scientific theorizations of Quran. He has also discussed the effect of Quran on the basis of humanities and making sciences purposeful and their political and social consequences and has reviewed the writer’s negligence in these cases.

Key expression: Quran, science, natural sciences, humanities, scientific inimitability, scientific interpretation.

Semiotics and Quran’s Interpretation

Dr. Alireza Qa’emi-nia  (Staff member of Baqer-ol-Oloom University)

Abstract:

In this article the essence and applications of semiotics are explained and the role of people such as D - saussure, Izutso, and pierce is pointed out. Semiotics which is rooted in Greek philosophers’ writings such as Plato appeared as an independent knowledge in the twentieth century and considering this aspect, it is similar to many sciences such as hermeneutics, epistemology and etc. This knowledge has produced other profound sciences in various fields such as linguistics, philosophy and its various branches, religious studies and interpretation of holy texts and etc. and has turned out as an unavoidable field in these studies. Semiotics has some applications in Quran’s interpretation as well, which some examples of them will be mentioned in this article. Also the effect of Semiotics on the semantic system, methodology and multiplication of Quran’s meaning will be investigated.

Key expressions: Quran, semiotics, linguistics, interpretation. 

The Knowledge of Linguistics and Its Usages in Quranic Studies

Ali Ma’moori

Abstract:

Linguistics is a relatively new knowledge from which gradually appeared independent branches and rapidly developed and found many applications in various human sciences. Linguistics and its branches has various applications in Quranic studies fields including: the branch of phonetics in vocalization, the branch of pragmatics in ambiguous verses, the branch of historical linguistics in rhetorics, the branch of etymology in the expressions present in Quran and the branch of semantics in thematic interpretation. In this article I’m attempting to briefly introduce linguistics and its branches and its most important applications in Quranic studies.

Key expressions: language, linguistics, semantics, etymology, Quran. 

The Relation between Quran and Jurisprudence

Dr. Mohammad Faker Meibodi  (Assistant Professor of Universal Centre of Islamic Sciences)

Abstract:

After introducing the most important works in the field of Quranic jurisprudential research and defining some concepts, the writer of this article has paid attention to the position of jurisprudence amongst other sciences. According to a division of ancestors, jurisprudence is a branch of narrative sciences which is a kind of religious science in the field of non- rational - sciences According to another division of ancestors, it is one of the five main branches of science, and according to division of new scholars, it is part of humanities. Considering the subject of having jurisprudential verses in Quran, the writer believes that Quran is the founder of jurisprudence and gives its principles in the form of jurisprudential-law verses and jurisprudential-rule verses. It also authenticates and validates jurisprudential sources such as reason and the infallibles’ sayings. Regarding the amount of Quran’s jurisprudential verses, the writer believes that Quran somehow considers all the present jurisprudential chapters in jurisprudence and law. Quran’s jurisprudential verses is a field that both jurisprudence and interpretation interfere and thus a researcher of this field should know the principles of both of them and consider these principles: Quran can be interpreted, interpretation is advisable, literal meaning of verses are accepted, and Quran’s verses are legislative. Finally the writer explains Quran’s methods of saying injunctions: first is the verbal method which presents it in the form of words, expressions and explanation styles in legislation. Second is the behavioral method which is a Quranic legislation style and includes: gradual declaration of injunctions, stating delicately and tenderly, stating along with philosophy of the injunction, and adaptional, foundational, ratifying and emphasizing styles. And third is motivating method in which the dominant atmosphere on Quran’s jurisprudence is servitude and the essence of Quranic law is justice.

Key expression: Quran, jurisprudence, law, interpretation, injunctions.

Quran and AstronomySeyyed Isa Mostarhemi

PhD. Student of Quran and science, Universal Centre of Islamic Sciences.

Abstract:

This article will explain the necessity of paying attention to astronomical discussions in Quran and also Quran’s purpose of pointing out these subjects. Then defining astronomy and mentioning a short history of it, it will have a brief look at astronomical discussions pointed out in Quran. It will also shortly investigate phenomena of sky, earth, sun, moon and stars from Quran’s perspective. Writer of this article has concluded that Quran is not an astronomy book but has some scientific statements in this field and it is necessary to present a better interpretation form them using cosmological achievements.

Key expressions: Quran, astronomy, scientific interpretation.

Quran and Mental Health

Dr. Ahmad Sadeqian (Professor and PhD. of Interpretation and Quran’s Sciences)

Abstract:

One of the current discussions regarding the subject of science and religion is using sciences to understand Quran’s scientific mentions. In the subject of Quran and mental health, the advances and achievements of psychology and mental health can also be used to extract mental health rules from Islam’s perspective. In this article some of the cases and the overall principles of this field are mentioned. Also as a guidebook and a book of instructions for human life, Quran has presented some methods to provide human’s mental health which some of cognitional and behavioral methods will be mentioned in this article. Cognitional methods: By changing and improving human’s thought and cognition regarding the world and changing his world-view to a Divine world-view, Islam’s teachings effects human’s look at life’s problems and also effects his attitude, sentiments and feelings. The results are: believing in God, trusting God, satisfaction and resignation, positive thinking, being hopeful to life, placing Prophet (peace be upon Him) and Divine saints as a exemplar and believing in resurrection. Behavioral methods: By improving human’s thought and guiding it towards a Divine world-view, his behavior will be improved and these correct behaviors between members of a family, in the relations between two individuals and in economical relations can provide metal health of individuals.

Key expressions: Quran, health, psych, psychology, scientific interpretation.