Maryam Qaydar's Article 'A New Perspective on the Traditions of the Compilation and Codification of the Quran'

A New Perspective on the Traditions of the Compilation and Codification of the Quran

A Review of Harald Motzki's Article

Maryam Qaydar

Harald Motzki believes that the differing views of Muslims and non-Muslims towards the Quran have influenced their approaches. According to him, Muslims have viewed the Quran as a source for religious, moral, jurisprudential, and theological teachings, whereas the focus of Western (non-Muslim) scholars has been on the historical aspects of the Quran. By analyzing Western methods, the question remains unanswered for Motzki as to whether Islamic traditions are more reliable or the diverse and changing views of Westerners. It is for this reason that he endeavors to examine the traditions of the Quran's compilation in light of new methodological advances.

According to Motzki, scholars like Wansbrough sought to determine the time of the Quran's writing and codification based on its data. According to him, tangible historical events in the Quran are few, and he tries to ascertain the date of codification through the Quran's audience. By presenting Wansbrough's theory, Motzki introduces a completely different approach. Wansbrough believes that the Quran is a product of the third century AH. Since, from Wansbrough's perspective, traditions are not worthy of consideration or trust, he has therefore based his view on the Quran and its exegeses. Motzki also rejects Wansbrough's theory.

The result of Motzki's research is that the theories of Wansbrough and Burton are very far from this dating, Schwally's theory is not based on logic, and Mingana's view was also accompanied by presuppositions. Motzki's important achievement is that Muslim traditions are closer to reality than the research of Western scholars.

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PDF file of the article A New Perspective on the Traditions of the Compilation and Codification of the Quran

Audio file of the reading of the article A New Perspective on the Traditions of the Compilation and Codification of the Quran

Reading source: Radio Doornama

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