Defying the Hermeneutical Universal: The Contours of Classical Islamic Exegesis

Abstract

This article re-examines the interpretative methodologies of early Muslim exegetes, particularly ʿAṭāʾ ibn Abī Rabāḥ, arguing that their premodern approach fostered a holistic understanding of the Qur’ānic text. Unlike modern frameworks that often impose rigid categorical divisions, classical tools of interpretation situate revelation within a dynamic temporal and historical context, thereby establishing a palpable nexus between the Divine message and lived human experience. Furthermore, there is pushback against modern interpretative categories that overemphasise sectarian divisions or uncritically borrowed terms from other monotheistic religions. By exploring the concepts of authenticity (ṣiḥḥah) and authority (thiqah) in early Qur’ānic exegesis, this article demonstrates how these two elements shaped an interpretive paradigm that is not merely a variation of broader hermeneutical theories but a distinct intellectual enterprise with its own logic and objectives. Ultimately, the significant contribution of the endeavour lies in the more nuanced representation of Islamic intellectual history, challenging anachronistic readings and illuminating the unique epistemological commitments that underpinned classical interpretative approaches.