The Idea

This statement indicates that the Islamic reading of the Qur’an begins from the belief that it is the spoken word of God. This means that the text is not received here merely as a historical document, but as a sacred discourse that directs meaning and grounds commitment. For this reason, reading is tied to a living religious relationship, not to a neutral external stance, which explains the strong presence of the Qur’an in Islamic consciousness.

Concise Formulation

Muslims: read the Qur’an as the spoken word of God

Its Place in the Book’s Argument

This idea occupies an important place in the book’s argument because it identifies the point of departure from which religious discourse should be understood. Before any analysis or criticism, Arkoun reminds us that the believer approaches the Qur’an as a heard revelation that has an impact on life. In this sense, the Islamic reading becomes a basis for understanding how religious meaning is formed, not merely a passing description of a traditional position.

Why It Matters

Its importance lies in the fact that it helps to clarify the distance between the experience of faith and other modes of reading. When we grasp that the Qur’an is received as divine speech, we understand why discussion around it is so sensitive and complex. This idea also illuminates a basic condition in Arkoun’s reading: paying attention to how the sacred is formed in consciousness, rather than simply judging it from the outside.

Brief Evidence Passage