Quran Interpretation Between Christine Snouck Hurgronje and Arthur John Arberry: Early Highlights

Abstract

This study attempts to look into the Quran interpretation by two renowned Western scholars, Christine Snouck Hurgronje and Arthur John Arberry. Snouck Hurgronje, a Dutch orientalist, is known for his sociological and historical approach to studying the Muslim communities in Indonesia, particularly Aceh. His approach emphasizes the historical, social, and cultural context in understanding Islamic sacred texts. He also criticizes the literal interpretation of the Quran and emphasizes flexibility in interpretation according to contemporary developments. On the other hand, Arthur John Arberry, an English orientalist, is famous for his translation and exegesis of the Quran, which emphasizes literary and linguistic aspects. Arberry strives to preserve the beauty of the Quranic language in his translations and avoids negative prejudices against Islam. Although his translation is regarded as a great literary work, there are criticisms regarding the accuracy of his interpretation. Through this study, early highlights will be focused on how these two methodologies provide a broader perspective in understanding the Quran, as well as assessing the effectiveness and limitations of each approach in conveying a deep and comprehensive understanding of Islamic sacred texts.