A Critical Analysis of the Status of Humans within Philosophical Historicism and Its Bearing upon a Historically Approach to the Qurʼān

Document Type : Scholary

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Theology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Islamic Theology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

‘Historicism,’ which is temporally coeval with hermeneutics, constitutes a worldview that, in its fully developed form, posits the historical perspective as being both constitutive of and influential in human life and all its domains—encompassing understanding, reason, cognition, beliefs, religion, and culture. According to philosophical historicism, history is inextricably intertwined with human existence and identity, forming an inseparable bond. Consequently, human nature is characterized by historicity, and, by extension, human understanding is likewise fundamentally historical. From the perspective of existentialist philosophers, humans do not possess a fixed, pre-given essence or nature. Instead, the 'whatness' of humanity resides in its 'becoming'; this absence of a fixed essence is attributed to their interpretation and understanding of 'existence.' Proponents of the historicity of the Qurʼān, influenced by philosophical historicism, regard the actions, utterances, and personal states of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as historically situated. They therefore deduce the historicity of his understanding and, by extension, the historicity of the Qurʼān itself. This research employs a descriptive-analytical-critical methodology to both elucidate and critique the philosophical underpinnings of Qurʼānic historicity theory – rooted primarily in Western thought – while rigorously challenging the theoretical framework itself.

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References

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Classical and Contemporary Islamic Studies
Volume 8, Issue 2
July 2026
Pages 189-203

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