An Appraisal of Muhammad Shahrur’s Viewpoint on the Principles of Comprehension and Interpretation of the Holy Qur’an

Study of the opinions of the contemporary neoterists in the field of Qur’anic issues is a noteworthy topic. Muhammad Shahrur is among the neoterists who, with an ideological version of revealed text, has a new perspective about the Qur’anic topics. Enjoying a descriptive-analytical method, the present article is intended to critically review Muhammad Shahrur’s thought principles in his attitude toward comprehending the verses of the Qur’an with reference to his works. The research findings show that by dividing the Qur’an into verses of Apostleship and Prophecy, relativity of comprehending the Qur’an, considering some verses as being historical, and hermeneuticism, Shahrur has been looking for a new version of the Qur’anic texts. Similarly, with reliance on historicism, Shahrur has not viewed the rulings of hijab and handmaids as applicable to this period and accordingly asserts new evidences such as the lowest and highest limits for covering and misyar (ambulant) marriage. Shahrur’s viewpoints about the Qur’an are facing serious challenges due to his use of inefficient principles, application of experimental comprehension of religion, and personal and unscholarly use of the verses; thus, his viewpoint cannot be taken as authorized in comprehension and interpretation of the Qur’an.