Modern Developments in Qur'anic Studies

Modern Qur'anic commentary has taken a number of different directions, ranging from continuing in the mainly lexicographical approach of the traditional theologians to very radical feminist approaches to the text. The main varieties of theoretical approach display a wide range of hermeneutic strategies. Some accept Muslim sacred history as the basis of interpretation, others are critical of it and look elsewhere for an objective and scientific understanding of the text. The variety of approaches is valuable since it brings out the different ways in which the text may be read, and this is in itself evidence of the richness of the Qur'an as a piece of writing.