Our research
The Qur’anic Studies Unit is dedicated to exploring the ways in which the Qur’an(also Koran. Arabic term meaning, ‘recitation’ or ‘scripture’): Muslims believe that the Holy Qur’an contains divine revelations to the Prophet Muhammed received in Mecca and Medina over a period of… More has served, and continues to serve, as an inspiration for Muslim societies. In that vein, our researchers adopt an interdisciplinary approach that emphasises the sociology and anthropology of history. The scholars within the unit are currently conducting research on:
- the theory and methodology of Qur’anic interpretation (its hermeneutics)
- the works of Qur’anic interpretation (tafsīr) – both historical (the work of Shahrastānī) and contemporary
- specific themes within the Qur’an (emotions within the Qur’an, angels in the Qur’an, mystical exegesis in the Qur’an)
- sociological issues, such as those related to gender in Islamic history and thought
- Islamic theology (specifically Twelver Shiʿism), literature and philosophy
We are also committed to a number of long-term projects, such as The Qur’an through the Ages (an encyclopaedic survey of the Qur’an through time) and the multi-volume Anthology of Qur’anic Commentaries.
