The Analysis of Rationalist Currents in Contemporary Quranic Studies in the Islamic World

Abstract

The relationship between reason and revelation has long been central to Islamic thought, particularly in contemporary Qur’anic studies, where rationalist approaches continue to evolve. In the modern Islamic world, debates between rationalism and textualism have intensified, raising questions about rationalism's legitimacy as an independent intellectual current. This study analyzes the development and characteristics of rationalist currents in contemporary Qur’anic studies and determines their status within Islamic intellectual discourse. This research employs a descriptive-analytical method using thematic analysis of relevant scholarly literature on rationalism, Qur’anic studies, and Islamic thought. The study examines both Western and Islamic perspectives, tracing the historical evolution of rationalism across traditional, modern, and postmodern periods. The findings show that rationalism has undergone three major phases of development and manifests in both religious and critical approaches. In the Islamic world, a clear tension exists between rationalism and textualism, particularly among contemporary thinkers and Neo-Mu’tazilite trends, where reason is often positioned as a critical tool toward religious texts. The study also highlights that rationalism is not a uniform movement but a diverse, evolving intellectual current shaped by both internal and external factors. The research suggests that a balanced integration of reason and revelation is essential to avoid intellectual extremism and foster a more constructive, moderate understanding of religion in contemporary Islamic discourse.