Shabbar, Saeed. “Intellectual Influences that Orient Modernist Readings of the Qur'an: A Critique of the Thesis of Equating Sacred Scriptures,” Year 15, Issue 59 (Winter 1431 AH/ 2010 CE), Pp. 59 - 86.

Abstract

Saeed Shabbar’s article discusses our relationship with the Qur'an on the level of understanding and vision, and finds that there is a need for intensified efforts to reveal the innermost guidance of the Qur'an in what will open doors of progress and advancement to the Ummah. He finds that new studies of the Qur'an are of a historical approach in content and methodology, and consist more of imitation than originality, being devoid of intellectual creativity. Moreover, he finds that these studies simulate the Western approach to understanding the sacred text. The article examines religious history specific to Western civilization, and the role of distortion played by Orientalists in the formation of views. It concludes with a discussion of why some researchers lean towards Orientalist works in their attempt to understand the Qur'an.