A Study of Orientalist Perspectives on Abrogation of Quranic Verses

In this article, the view of Orientalists regarding the nature of abrogation in Qurʾānic verses have been reviewed and six of their misconceptions about the nature of abrogation have been critiqued. The views that have been reviewed in this article are as follows: 1) Introduction of abrogation as a solution to the contradictions of the Quran; 2) Introduction of the contention between the Qurʾān and jurisprudence, and the differences in juristic opinions as the origin of the idea of abrogation; 3) Introduction of abrogation as a way of reforming and correcting errors in the Qurʾān; 4) Introducing the Prophet‟s forgetfulness as the cause of the concept of abrogation; 5) Considering abrogation as a subjective and arbitrary alteration; 6) Introducing abrogation as a justification for the haphazard compilation of the Qurʾān In addition to critiquing these views, other doubts such as claims of contradictions in the Qurʾān, questioning the revelation and heavenly nature of the Qurʾān, claims of distortion in the Qurʾān, attributing forgetfulness to the Noble Prophet (s) and their incorrect opinions about the collection of the Qurʾān have also been critiqued.