Different Approaches and Various periods in Orientalists’ Qur’anic Studies

When we read Muslim scholars’ works concerning western studies about Islam and Qur’an we find different ideas in evaluating Oriental studies in these fields. There are two main ideas in evaluating the approaches and motives of orientalists in studying Islam and Qur’an. The author believes that orientalists have had different approaches in their studies about Islam and Qur’an. In fact, there are three main periods in the history of orientalism regarding Qur’anic studies. In The first period, the Oriental studies controlled by religious organization (Church); in the second period, the Oriental studies controlled by the State; in the third period, the Oriental studies mostly controlled not by church nor by state but organized by educational institutions and universities. Therefore, Religion , State and Academy have respectively the central position for Oriental studies including the Qur’anic studies in the West.

Keywords:

Orientalism , history , Qur’anic studies , western studies