Islamic Studies and Quranic Research in the Contemporary World

Islamic Studies and Quranic Research in the Contemporary World

Human elements involved in understanding the Quran from the perspective of contemporary researchers using the method of content analysis.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 PhD student in Quran and Madrasa texts, University of Quran and Hadith, Tehran.
2 Assistant Professor, Islamic Psychology Department, University of Quran and Hadith, Tehran.
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Quranic Sciences, Qom University of Quran and Hadith.
4 Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Psychology, University of the Quran and Hadith of Qom.
Abstract
This study addresses the central question of how contemporary scholars conceptualize and evaluate the role of human dimensions in understanding the Qur’an. Adopting a qualitative approach and employing King and Horrocks’ method of thematic analysis, the research is positioned as a fundamental, interdisciplinary inquiry. Data were collected through purposive sampling, using the snowball technique, and primarily through semi-structured interviews with leading experts in Qur’anic interpretation and hermeneutics. A total of 42 interviews were conducted, subsequently coded, and thematically analyzed. The process resulted in 49 initial themes, distilled into 26 organizing themes, and ultimately synthesized into two overarching themes. Findings reveal that the factors influencing Qur’anic understanding can be classified into two broad categories: methodological and psychological. The study highlights the significance of human elements as a key dimension in engaging with the Qur’anic text, suggesting that recognizing these factors may open new pathways for advancing research and critically examining their roles in Qur’anic comprehension and interpretation.
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  • Receive Date 06 December 2025
  • Revise Date 18 July 2026
  • Accept Date 20 July 2026
  • First Publish Date 20 July 2026
  • Publish Date 23 August 2026