A Study of the Contemporary Western Academic Approaches to History of the Qur’Én: The case of Encyclopaedia of the Qur’Én.

Abstract

The history of the Qur’Énic text is a central point of western studies due to its vitality and significance. In the present century, many anthological works produced by the western scholarship offer a large portion to this subject. What increases its significance is the contemporary western claims concerning the objective and impartial nature of their researches in this regard. This paper endeavors to highlight the major characteristics of contemporary western approaches to the issue of compilation. For this reason, the data in Encyclopaedia of the Qur’Én is selected. Moreover, the paper draws special attention to the advancements with regard to this topic. The paper concludes that for a better and objective understanding towards intellectual issues, it is essential for western scholarship to free itself from the bias and partiality.