An Analysis of the Main Presuppositions of the Orientalists’ Quranic Studies with an Emphasis on the Orientalists of the United States of America

Clarifying and analyzing the presuppositions of non-Muslim Quranic scholars is one of the most essential topics in Quranic studies. The main Question of current research is what are the main bases or presuppositions of the Orientalists behind their different opinions regarding the Quran, especially its origin, which often causes serious differences in their perceptions with Islamic understanding. This research, with the method of description and critical analysis, and by ignoring topics such as the adaptation of the Quran from other religions and cultures, or being influenced by contemporary culture and the like, has highlighted the main and hidden presuppositions behind the Orientalists’ works. In fact, the most important and basic presuppositions of Orientalists, in Islamic Studies in general and Quranic studies in particular, are the following: Seeing Quran as non-revealed or as human text; refuting the prophethood and mission of Prophet Muhammad; considering Islam as an ethnic religion; regarding the Islamic narrative about the history of Islam and the Quran as invalid.