Wansbourgh’s Perspective as a Catalytic Challenge in Contemporary Qur’anic Study
Keywords:
John Wansbrough, Qur’an, Orientalist CriticismAbstract
Purposes— This article examines John Wansbrough’s thoughts on the Qur’an, as presented in his major works Qur’anic Studies and The Sectarian Milieu. It aims to describe his main ideas, analyse critiques from both Muslim and Western scholars, and assess the relevance of his theories for Qur’anic studies, particularly in the Indonesian academic context.
Design/methods— This research employs a qualitative method with a library research approach. It analyses Wansbrough’s primary works along with secondary literature published in the last decade.
Findings— The study reveals that Wansbrough’s ideas significantly influenced the expansion of Qur’anic studies in the West through historical-critical approaches. However, from an Islamic perspective, his views are considered erroneous as they contradict the principles of revelation and the history of the Qur’an’s codification. Its relevance in Indonesia lies in encouraging Muslim scholars to be more systematic and scholarly in defending the authenticity of the Qur’an.
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