The Idea
This claim holds that the foundational texts in Islam did not remain open to historical movement, but were closed through the processes of transcription and codification. This includes the Qur’an, hadith, books of doctrine, jurisprudence, and exegesis. The meaning here is that the phase of living foundation was transformed into a fixed reference point, so that engagement with the texts became governed by the limits of stability rather than by horizons of further addition.
Condensed Formulation
The foundational texts in Islam: historically closed: in the Qur’an, hadith, and jurisprudence
Its Place in the Book’s Argument
This claim plays a fundamental role in building the argument because it explains how textual authority took shape within history. The book does not merely say that texts are important; it shows how their fixation turned them into a relatively closed field. This is what directs criticism toward the history of reception and codification, not toward the religious value of the texts themselves.
Why It Matters
The importance of this claim lies in the fact that it explains a large part of the difficulty of rethinking the tradition. If the texts were historically closed, then later understanding becomes governed by a legacy of interpretation and codification. From here, we understand why Arkoun insists on restoring the historical dimension in the study of texts.
Brief Evidence
Arkoun sees that the foundational texts in Islam did not remain open to historical movement, but were closed through the processes of transcription and codification. This includes the Qur’an, hadith, and books of doctrine, jurisprudence, and exegesis. The meaning is that the phase of living foundation became a fixed reference that governs subsequent reading.
Reading Questions
- What is meant by closure of the texts: does it mean a halt in their meaning, or the fixing of the ways they are approached?
- How does this closure affect the modern reader’s relationship to the tradition?
Degree of Documentation
High: the claim appears in a clear location within the book’s material.