Foreign Vocabulary of the Qur’ān in Western Academic Writings: A Case Study of Andrew Rippin

Abstract

The contemporary western Qur’ānic scholarship is flourishing swiftly with the manifestation of diverse and multifaceted approaches. At present, the western averments of studying the Quran with objectivity and impartiality cannot be overlooked. Yet, despite this, many contemporary scholars. Muslims and non-Muslims link the western tradition with the norms of oriental scholarship. The present article endeavors to trace whether the contemporary western scholarship approaches the Quran with the pure academic and neutral spirit that separates it from the epistemological hierarchy or it still follows the polemical theological agenda. For this purpose, the work of a renowned contemporary western scholar Andrew Rippin is selected on the theme of the foreign vocabulary of the Qur’ān. The critical analytical approach is selected to investigate his work. Rippin has contributed thoroughly to exploring the classical Muslims’ dealing with the subject while adding his etymological source theories. However, it is concluded that despite a few variances perpetuated by Rippin, the gross foundation does not go beyond the demarcation set by his predecessor Arthur Jeffery in the field of the foreign vocabulary of the Qur’ān that indicates a lack of academic approach.