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International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7 (4.9) (2018) 167-170 International Journal of Engineering & Technology Website: www.sciencepubco.com/index.php/IJET Research paper An overview on hermeneutics method application to the Quran by Muslim thinkers Nur Zainatul Nadra Zainol 1 *, Latifah Abdul Majid 2 , Mohd Faizulamri Md Saad 3 , 1 Department of Research, Publication & Documentation, Institute of Ahl Sunnah wal Jamaah, University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia/ 1 Department of Islamic Studies, Center for general Studies and Co-curricular, University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia. 2,3 Department of Quranic and Hadith Studies, Faculty of Islamic Studies, National University of Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia *Corresponding author E-mail: nadra@uthm.edu.my Abstract Hermeneutics method was introduced by modern Islamic thinkers where they see the need to apply the methods of hermeneutics in the interpretation of the Quran. Among of the thinkers are Fazlur Rahman, Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd and Arkoun who applying hermeneutics. Thus it occur a debate among Muslim scholars. Hence, this study aims to analyse the methods introduced by these scholars which were emphasizing in hermeneutics aspects.In this paper, the method of content analysis conducted can gatherrelevant facts on hermeneutics methods that have been applied against the Quran by modern thinkers as well as collecting information in other forms of interpretation that have been conducted by these modern thinkers. The views of contemporary scholars onthe true interpretation of Quran was also identified to argue the opinions of the modern thinkers who justify the hermeneutics methods.this study shows those modern thinkers have used the theories of hermeneutics as literary criticism, history and semiotic study of the Quran. The use of the method has downgraded the Quran by equating the Quran as literary works. Reinterpretationof the verses of the Quran based on the current context has made the issue of fiqh change and become controversial and this is against the opinion of the majority of scholars. Keywords: Modern Thinkers; Liberalism; Content Analysis; Controversy; Hermeneutics 1. Introduction Transmission of hermeneutics into the world of Islam has long taken place. Hermeneutics method was introduced by modern Islamic thinkers who acquired education in the West where they see the need to apply the methods of hermeneutics in the interpre- tation of the Quran. According to Rippin (1), the majority of mod- ern scholars argue that Muslims do not understand the message of the Quran due to their lack of knowledge. Thus, the movement has been made to make Quran as a guide and there is a tendency in the interpretation of the Quran to view the message behind its texts. This movement was created by Muslim scholars to apply the methods of modern interpretations of contemporary and biblical criticism to the Quran. Hermeneutics method has been incorpo- rated into the interpretation of the Quran by modern Muslim thinkers because they think hermeneutics and exegesis have some- thing in common. Acording to Esack (2) in his book entitled ‘the Quran: Pluralism and Liberation’ noted that in general, herme- neutics and historical interpretation of the Quran has a pattern of hermeneutics. Although hermeneutics existed only recently in the Muslim community, the pattern of hermeneutics has long been practiced. Therefore, he argued about the patterns found in the traditional hermeneutics of the Quran, such as: i. Studies on asbab al-nuzul and nasikh mansukh; ii. The difference between understanding the Quran and method interpreted by commentators since the emerging science of interpretation; iii. Categorization method in interpreting Quran by commenta- tors such as interpretation of Ahl al-Sunnah, Shia and Mu'tazila. This division showed a wide range of flow and a specific social ideology in the field of interpretation. It was named as hermeneutics. However, the opinions of Esack were just coincidence, because the method was originally hermeneutics of Bible interpretation method, which is also the holy book of the Christian community. In the process of interpreting the Quran, it is not limited to the study of asbab al-nuzul and nasikh mansukh, where even the in- terpretation of the Quran involves various sciences. It also in- volves a specific and systematic methodology. Hermeneutics is not only the interpretation, but a 'method of interpretation' and its own philosophy which isvastly different compared to the interpre- tation of the Quran. Among the Christian community, the use of hermeneutics in the interpretation of the Bible is something very common although it also provokes debates (3, 4). 1.1. Philosophy of Hermeneutics In the Muslim community, there are some modern Muslim think- ers who rejected the method agreed by mufassir salafi. They in- troduced a contemporary interpretation method instead of the method of interpretation which has been introduced by the mufas- sir salafi (4). According to Rahman (5), contemporary interpreta- tion method was created to not accept the text of the Quran literal- ly but to look further than the literal expression. The main purpose of this method is to reveal the ‘soul’ or moral message of the Quran. Thus, contemporary interpretations of various methods