The Efficient Origin of Quranic Revelation: Perspectives of Islamic Theologians and Modern Thinkers

The Quranic revelation is the foundation and basis of religious knowledge and Islamic teachings. Thus, the efficient origin of this revelation holds paramount importance. If its divine nature comes under doubt, its enlightening role would be questioned. Some modern thinkers have challenged the divine nature of Quranic revelation and believe in its human origin. In order to show that their standpoint has a history, they have even attributed human agency to certain traditional theologians. Therefore, it is necessary to examine, based on religious sources, the efficient origin of Quranic revelation from the perspectives of both traditional theologians and modern thinkers.Using analytical, descriptive, and comparative approach, and based on religious sources, this paper aims to investigate the views of Muslim theologians, who hold a traditional interpretation of revelation, and the opinions of modern thinkers. It determines whether any of the traditional theologians asserts the humanness of Quranic revelation or not. After examining the standpoints, it has been concluded that traditional theologians unanimously affirm the divine nature of Quranic revelation. Moreover, verses and narrations also indicate the divine aspect, rendering the human origin incompatible with religious sources.