Methods of Discovering the Objectives of the Qur’an According to Contemporary Scholars: A Descriptive and Comparative Study

Abstract

This study explores contemporary scholars' various methodologies in uncovering the Qur’an’s objectives through a descriptive and comparative approach. Its primary aim is to analyze the strategies used by modern thinkers to identify the Qur'anic objectives and to understand the contemporary perspectives surrounding these methodologies. The research focuses on two key texts: "The Mothers of the Objectives of the Qur’an and the Methods of Knowing Them" by Izz al-Din bin Sa’id Kashnit, and "The Science of the Objectives of the Noble Qur’an: An Authentic Study" by Muhammad Hamid Hasan Attia. The structure of the study comprises an introduction, a preface, three main chapters, and a conclusion. The introduction outlines the significance of the topic, the research problem and limits, relevant previous studies, methodology, and overall plan. Chapter One provides an in-depth examination of Kashnit’s work, including his classification and methods for identifying Qur'anic objectives. Chapter Two presents a detailed analysis of Attia’s study and his scholarly contributions to the subject. Chapter Three offers a comparative evaluation of the two works, highlighting their methodological similarities and differences. Each chapter is organized into specific sections addressing particular aspects of the research. The study concludes with several key findings. Notably, it identifies that the overarching objectives of the Qur’an encompass broad societal concerns, such as collective well-being, while more specific objectives address focused areas like family welfare. Sub-objectives pertain to particular rulings that serve these broader goals—for instance, the wisdom behind the institution of marriage within the framework of family and societal stability.