The influence of symbolic anthropology in the interpretation of Quranic concepts

Religion, as a social process, is a symbolic subject of investigation from an anthropological perspective. Consequently, symbolic anthropologists seek to explore religion, aiming to understand the Qur'an through the lens of anthropology. In this process, they employ an anthropological method for interpretation. Therefore, the question raises: "To what extent is the method of symbolic anthropology effective in interpreting the Qur'an?" The necessity of discussing this issue lies in the existing differences among scholars, namely, "whether the language of religion is symbolic or not?" Through examining the role of symbolic anthropology in the interpretation of the Qur'an, one can realize the extent to which symbolism is applicable in understanding Qur'anic concepts. Determining its impact then will clarify whether all aspects of religious language are symbolic or not. The conducted examination reveals that these two orientations are positioned against each other in the interpretation of the Qur'an. In both approaches, understanding the meaning of each sign requires identifying its extra-textual context. The difference lies in the fact that, according to Girtz, the extra-textual context is cultural and individual, while according to Turner, the social meaning system is considered, making signs generally devoid of individual meanings.