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THE Holy QURAN and the ORIENTALISTS: Literary PERSPECTIVE

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THE HOLy QUPAN AND THE ORIENTALISTS: LITERARY PERSPECTIVE ABSTRACT ^nhmitM jTor tf}e fiegtee of Sottor of $l)iIos(opti? IN Arabic Literature BY TOWQUEER ALAM llnd»r th« Supervision of Dr. ABDUL BARI Professor and Chairman DEPARTMENT OF ARABIC ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY ALIGARH (INDIA) 1991-92 The holy Quran beinq a Book of guidance to the human so^ ' ^ty as a whole, has been a subject of discussion since its revelation period. Enormous contribution in the form of leading articles, research papers of high standard and com­ prehensive books regarding its majestic teachings, whether pro and against^ from the side of the Muslims or non-Muslims, provide an overt proof for its extra ordinary importance, un- comparable to any manifestation of human science and intellect. The teachings of the holy Book being revolutionary in its character, provide a complete guidance to the human being for adopting 'the right path as proposed by the Omnipotent God for a Successful life in this world and the world Hereafter. This aspect of study of the holy Quran is purely religious. The preservance oE the Revelation, its specific arrangement, majestic presentation, omission and addition, rhyme and rhythm andjabove all, its miraculous character, both from the point of view of ideology and literature, testify for its being a marvellous literary monument, :fer above in excellence» in com- prision to any human endeavour , irrespective of age and place. I am not hesitant,at all, to concede that the Occidental scholars, although not altogether free from biased thinking, have contributed a lot, so far as their intellectual endeavours are concerned. In this doctoral thesis of mine, I have exerted to high- liaht those English Orientalists who along with their creative endeavours in the divergent fields of intellect, have either mainly or partly, dealt with the holy Quran in its literary perspective. It also must be kept into minds that there is a good num.ber of English Orientalists who have shown close associat­ ion with Islam in general, and the holy Ouran and the Prophet Muhammad (3.A.W.) in particular. But under the spirit of "Intensive Research" the outstanding and known figures of the English scholarship have been brought into discussion. My work comprises both, the purely literary works of the Orient­ alists and exegetical writings. The Preaching Of Islam by T.w. Arnold, wither Islam and Mohammadanism by Hamilton Alexander Roskeen Gibb; History of Arbs by Reynold Allyene Nicholson, the life of Muhammad and The Tradition of Islam by Alfred Guillaume, The Life of Mohatnmad by Sir William Muir and Mohammad and the Rise of Islam by David Samuel Margoliouth, are, for Instance, certain leading writings which depict the Arab and Islamic history on one hand and the literary excellence of the holy Quran, though partly, on the other hand. The Koran by George Sale; The Meaning of the Glorious Koran by Mohammad Marmaduke Pickthall and The Koran Interpreted by Arthur John Arberry, are such exegetical works which testify the scholarly expertise of the Orientalists in both the literature - Arabic and English. But at the same time, we notice their ideological deviation from the right approach' to certain pertinent issues as well as their intellectual betrayal. The thesis comprises four chapters along with a detailed introduction. The Introduction highlights the impor­ tance of the caption - "The Holy Ouran And The Orientalists" - Literary Perspective", the relation of the Orientalism with Islam and its followers, the removal of certain confusions, elucidation of chapters of the thesis and the relevant sources to evaluate the Quranic endeavours of the Orientalists. The First Chapter of the thesis is as under - "The Holy Quran - Aspects of its teachings and Literary merits". The holy Quran is a revelation through Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.w.) for the complete guidance for all. Besides this radiant religious aspect, the holy Quran is the embodiment of literary excellence and perfection, superseeding all the human creations, compilations and writings. The ^ — »/. "Ill •...»* miraculous character of the Ouran C-»l^<^if-» is the most pertinent issue brought to light in this chapter. The Issue of appreciation of the holy Ouran, by the scholars from the East and West and Muslims and non-Muslims, is also taken into consideration. Besides the above mentioned issues/ the outstanding aP'^ exemplary literary excellence of the holy Quran and its impact on Arabic language and literature is also an undeni­ able fact which is elaborately discussed in this chapter. Thus, all the components of this chapter*clearly*indicate that the holy Ouran is an exemplary ideological, as well as, literary asset to the man kind which remains matchless. "Orientalism - A Movement" is the second chapter of the present work. The literal and technical meaning of the Orientalism, its different stages, incentives for the most effective propagation, categories of the Orientalists, Islam a complete way of life, the holy Quran as a written code of conduct; its teachings and incomparable identity to Judaism and Christianity, are the main components of the chapter. It is admitted that Christianity at the time of emer­ gence of Islam was not in position to criticise and accuse Islam. It was only in trembling position . It is true that the anti-Islamic forces, in general, and Christianity , in particular, after the prominence of the Muslims, began to expose their hostile mentality towards Islam. Irrespective of the literal and technical meaning of Orientalism, its factual position becomes well known when 1. Bosworth Smith, Mohammad and Mohammadanism, p. 63. it assumed an indispensable position for not only to propagate its specific views and instructions but also to harm the Islamic teachings in general and the holy Quran and the Sunnah in particular, through their sharp, minds and acute pens. "Orientalists and Their Approach in the Study of the Holy Ouran - Literary perspective", is the third chapter of this thesis. Sir William Muir (1819-1905), Professor Thomas Walker Arnold (1864-19 30), Professor David Samuel Margoliouth (1858-1940), Professor Reynold Alleyne Nicholson (1888-1945) Professor Hamilton Alexander Roskeen Gibb (1895-1971) - these eminent English Orientalists works on the Quran along with their biographical details have been brought into discussion. Sir William Muir has, although, appreciated certain issues concerned with Islam, but his denial of the holy Quran as the first hand message of the Almighty to the Prophet is groundless, I feel boldness to say that whatever appreciations regarding the holy Ouran and Sunnah is made by Muir, it is only for reaching the goal which is already instilled in minds of the other Westerners. Thus, William Muir's intellectual activities,with a nominal exception, show the prejudiced and filthy approach. Arnold,among the contemporary Orientalists, having impartial and balanced approach to the concerned issues, has exerted to present the gallant feature of Islam and to remove the misunderstandings regarding the divergent aspects of Tslamic teaching. It is also mentionable that during his discussion about the relevant issues, he takes help from the holy Curan to substantiate his standpoint. He has also proved himself to be straightforward during his dealing with the literary merits of the holy Ouran. Prof. D.S. ^'^rgoliouth is, no doubt, a leading figure among the Occidental scholars, but, it will be just to remark that the Prophet Muhammad in general, and the certain authentic aposlotic traditions, in particular, have been made a target for unjust allegation. So far as his dealing ; — with the holy Ouran in its literary perspective is concerned, it is appropriate and appreciable, in most places. Prof. Reynold Alleyne Nicholson's scholarship^especia­ lly^ in the realm of Oriental endeavours, has been evaluated in this chapter. Although he has done well, to an appreci­ able extent, in his studies on Arabic history, culture and literature. The holy Ouran is subject which like other Orien­ talists, is selected for discussion. The broad-hearted ack­ nowledgement of Nicholson about the incontestable authority of the holy Ouran is worth-mentioning but, it is a matter of lamentation that his dealing with the arrangement of the holy Ouran and its being revelation is not free from the inherited partiality of the Western scholar. Prof. Afred Gul1laume's contribution to the knowledge, in general and Islamic Studios in particular is very rich. It is also important to note that a reader of Guillaume's writings concerning Islam, is compelled to have impression that hp was an uncompromising Christian. According to Prof. F.F. Bruce - "Tf any Christian's prayer could reconstruct the building in the sight of God, we may be sure that Prof. Guillaume's prayer did so" . It may be openly confessed that he has a moderate way of dealing with the life of the Prophet Muhammad. The autho­ ritative position of the holy Ouran, the wisdom of the can­ cellation of the verses for instance, are subjects discussed by A. Guillaume, to a considerable length. But, showing similarity between the Ouran and pre-revealed Books, unifor­ mity between Islam and Christianity,& the arrangement of the Ouran are such things, which leave a dark shadow on Guillaume's scholarship. Professor Hamilton, A.R. Gibb, in spite of recognition of his scholarly contribution in the concerned fields as an Orientalist, sometimes deviates from a bare fact. His inte­ grity and objectivity in study is badly affected when he looks not frank and partial concerning certain issues of the literary aspect of the holy Ouran. 1. John MaC(ionalf (Editor), The Annual of Leads University, "Tribute" by i*'.F. Bruce, vol. vii, 1966, p. 5. o The fourth and the last chapter of this thesis is - "S'-i'Tie Outstanding Orientalists - A C^-itical Appreciation of Their Translations of The Holy Ouran" .
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