Analyzing the Allegation of the Qurʾān’s Influence by Contemporary Culture from the Perspective of Sunni and Shiʿite Exegetes, with Emphasis on the Topic of Female Infanticide

Yarahmadi, Mahdyeh; Khobbin Khoshnazar, Seyed Karim; Alipoor Abdoli, Shir Mohammad

doi:10.22059/jcis.2026.405960.1451

Analyzing the Allegation of the Qurʾān’s Influence by Contemporary Culture from the Perspective of Sunni and Shiʿite Exegetes, with Emphasis on the Topic of Female Infanticide

Articles in Press

Document Type : Scholary

Authors

Mahdyeh Yarahmadi ¹

Seyed karim Khobbin khoshnazar ²

Shir mohammad Alipoor abdoli ³

¹ University Azad khorramabad

² University Assistant Professor, University of Qur’anic Sciences and Teachings

³ Assistant Professor (Rank 5), Lorestan University

10.22059/jcis.2026.405960.1451

Abstract

The allegation that the Qurʾan was influenced by individuals and the culture of its time dates back to the era of its revelation. Some Qurʾanic verses explicitly state that the Messenger of God was accused of the Qurʾan being the product of the Prophet’s (PBUH) interaction with specific individuals rather than a divine, heavenly revelation. On the one hand, the revelatory nature of the Qurʾan’s wording, and on the other, its utilization of certain elements of contemporary culture in many of its verses, make the explanation and analysis of the allegation of the Qurʾan’s influence by the culture of the revelation era highly necessary. In this research, the opinions of selected exegetes from both Sunni and Shiʿite schools regarding the influence and interaction between the Qurʾan and contemporary culture are explained and analyzed using a descriptive–analytical method, and their points of agreement and divergence are examined. Three general viewpoints can be proposed concerning the Qurʾan’s influence by contemporary culture: (1) the Qurʾan is completely detached from and alien to the Arab culture of the revelation era; (2) the Qurʾan was influenced by contemporary Arab culture; and (3) the Qurʾan sifted through Arab culture, affirming what was suitable and positive and

Keywords

Allegation of Influence

Sunni and Shiʿite Exegetes

Contemporary Culture

Female Infanticide

Subjects