Quranic Sciences: Nature, Whys and Wherefores, and Quality

The Present article deals with the concept, definition, domain, advantages, and position of "Quranic Sciences", as a prerequisite of the interpretation of the Quran. The outcome of the research is as follows: "Quranic Sciences" applies to two different meanings: a narrow one and a wide one. In its wide sense, it covers all sciences relevant whatsoever with the Quran. However, in its narrow sense, it only applies to the sciences or various types of knowledge derived from the Quran. In its technical sense, "Quranic Sciences" is a particular discipline the subject of which is the holy Quran and whatever concerns this divine book.Since new questions may arise as time passes by, it is not possible to determine a fixed domain for the subjects discussed in "Quranic Sciences". Zarkashi and Suyuti have confined the issues of "Quranic Sciences" to a limited number. However, some issues raised in the books "Al-Burhan" and "Al-Itiqan" can not be rightly included in Quranic Sciences in its conventional sense.On the other hand, failure to mention some issues in certain comprehensives works on Quranic Sciences or mentioning them under different headings does not imply that they areout of the domain of Quranic Sciences. Rather, whatever seen as one of the intrinsic accidents of the Quran may be included in the domain of Quranic Sciences."Quranic Sciences" deals with such foundations of interpretation of the Quran as its divine origin and authenticity of its present text. Furthermore, knowing certain issues of this discipline is instrumental for the commentator in revealing the intents of Almighty God although it may be considered as the key to interpretation; there is a link between Quranic Sciences and certain disciplines as jurisprudence, principles of jurisprudence, and theology. This link may on some occasions be manifested in other disciplines benefiting from the outcome of researches in this discipline, on others in the latter benefiting from the former, and still on some others, there would be mutual benefits.