Comparative Analysis of Philosophical Hermeneutic Approaches in the Qur’anic Exegesis

Abstract

Philosophical hermeneutics analytically explores the interpretation of texts. The birthplace of this knowledge which is western philosophy is intermingled with the name of philosophers such as Heidegger and Gadamer. Among Muslim thinkers, the investigation of the process of Qur'anic exegesis and the effect analysis of commentator’s preconceptions and tendencies on his interpretation has a long history. Also in contemporary Islamic theological research, some innovative thinkers adapting common Western philosophical hermeneutics and a maximal approach have started to theorize the susceptibility of theological studies from human knowledge. The impact of some presumptions known as “the principles of Qur'anic exegesis” is commonly agreed; however, the effect of philosophical, Kalami, mystical, psychological, and political preconceptions as well as the influence of commentator’s assumptions and interests on Qur'anic exegesis are yet controversial fields which need further research. This article aims to comparatively analyze and explore the philosophical hermeneutic approaches in the Qur'anic exegesis using descriptive analysis, and by classifying the existing approaches to extremist, conservative, and moderate, it attempts to critically analyze the first two approaches. Finally, by approving and confirming the moderate approach, the article introduces wisdom and purification of Nafs (soul) as essential conditions for applying preconceptions and tendencies.

Keywords

• qur’anic tafsir (exegesis)
• philosophical hermeneutics
• preconception
• wisdom
• purification of nafs (soul)