The Hermeneutical Framework of Taha Jabir Al-Alwani's Jurisprudence of Revisionism

Abstract

This article highlights the methodological determinants of the jurisprudence of revisionism (fiqh al-murājʿāt) within the scientific and reformist project of Taha Jabir Al-Alwani (d. 2016) and his approach to epistemological criticism of Islamic heritage in all its aspects. To this end, the article examines Al-Alwani’s writings that underline methodological approaches, principles, and tools for his jurisprudence of revisionism. Regarding Al-Alwani’s methodological approaches and principles, the article considers his thought on Muslim intellectual and methodological crisis, the invocation of the Qur’anic paradigm, and his emphasis on the particularization of heritage. As for Al-Alwani’s methodological tools for the jurisprudence of revisionism, the article explores his thought on Qur'anic epistemological methodology, epistemological scientific criticism, contextualization, and organized consultation. The article holds that these determinants allow for the jurisprudence of revisionism to be a rigorous and continuous ijtihād that proceeds according to a solid plan ‒ a plan that legitimizes the intellectual endeavor and ensures both fairness and objectivity in criticism and scrutiny. In this process, the study identifies the main features of Al-Alwani’s critical project, namely wholeness, originality, openness, and clarity, while highlighting the conditions that must be met in order to overcome the obstacles that usually stand in the way of critical work.