The Idea
The text affirms that Arkoun does not seek to strip the Qur’an of its sanctity, but rather to highlight its humanity and human nature. What is meant here is that the Qur’an is understood within human history, language, and experience, without denying its religious status. This reading does not reduce the text to a single dimension; instead, it reminds us that its reception and interpretation pass through the human being as a historical creature who lives within language, meaning, and difference.
Concise Formulation
Arkoun: re-highlights the humanity and human nature of the Qur’an
Its Place in the Argument of the Book
This claim lies at the heart of the argument that seeks to open the way for a new reading of foundational texts, a reading that does not negate faith but prevents the monopolization of meaning. It locates the Qur’an within the history of reception and interpretation, not outside that history. In doing so, it confronts the view that makes the text closed upon a single fixed meaning that cannot be touched.
Why It Matters
The importance of this claim is that it clarifies the essence of Arkoun’s project in the simplest possible terms: returning the text to its human horizon without diminishing its spiritual value. This helps the reader understand that his critique is not an attack on religion, but a call for a broader and more responsible reading. It also reveals the basis of his thinking in dealing with foundational texts.
Brief Evidence
but rather re-highlights its humanity and human nature Morin confirms that Arkoun does not strip the Qur’an of its sanctity, but rather re-highlights its humanity and human nature
Reading Questions
- What does it mean to understand the Qur’an within its humanity and human nature without stripping it of its sanctity?
- How does this understanding change the way one approaches religious interpretation?
Degree of Documentation
High: the claim appears in a clear passage from the book’s material.