I intend to supplement all my learning from various other sources, on top of the classes that I am taking with my teachers, which gives me an opportunity to understand the topics. To supplement the Approach to Quranic Sciences, on my course I have chosen to cover Introduction to the Qurʾān: What It Is, How It Was Preserved, and Why It Is True the course from SeekersGuidance Academy, which is a beginner level course that is beneficial for students of the Islamic sciences.
Definition
Early usage - anything connected to or derived from the Quran
- i.e. Tafsir, Qirat, al-rasm uthmani (as written down under Usthman), Ijaz al-quran, Al-nabu, al-balagha (rhetoric), al-fiqh, etc.
- later on the above topics went onto becoming their own fields
Technical definition - the science that addresses general topics that related to the Qur’an
- i.e. revelation, documentation, compilation, the seven letters, exegesis (conditions laid for), miraculous nature, etc.
A science that addresses a particular aspects of the Qur’an.
The purpose of Ulum al-Quran
- To defend the Qur’an
- Understand the tools required for tafsir (exegesis)
These topics were covered before
In the introductions of authoritative tafsirs:
- Tafsir al Tabari - first person to look at it verse by verse to say this is a stronger opinion and this one isn’t
- ibn Atiyya -
- Qurtubi -
- Ruh al-Ma’ani - introduction also includes this
Independent works
- ulum al-Quran, ibn Jawzi - very first work that was gathered all the sub-topics
- al burhan - Im. al-Zarkashi - first well recognised work on this topic
- Im al-Suyuti -
Important contemporary works (in Arabic, Reasat mentions that there are other works in Urdu) - Manahil al-irfan - Itqan al-burhan
Questions that will be addressed in this series of notes from the course
- What is the Quran?
- How do I know it has been preserved?
- How do I know it is true?
- How has it been interpreted?
Relevant resources
- SeekersAcademy module on Ulum al-Qur’an: On Revelation, How It Was Preserved and Understood, and Why It Is True