Beyond Tradition: Jamāl al-Dīn al-Afghānī’s (1838-1897) Impact on Contemporary Qur’ānic Exegesis

This article examines the understanding of Qur’ānic exegesis before Jamāl al-Dīn al-Afghānī and the innovative approaches he introduced. Using an inductive method, it analyses Jamāl al-Dīn al-Afghani’s books, articles, and speeches. Before al-Afghānī, Qur’ānic exegesis was dominated by classical methods focused on syntax, grammar, jurisprudence, and theology, failing to meet contemporary needs. Al-Afghānī did not write a tafsīr book in the classical style but his articles in al-ʿUrwah al-Wuthqā resemble independent exegesis treatises, following a late Ottoman style. He advocated for a subjective and critical reading, centring only on the Qur’ān and rejecting linguistically focused exegesis. He emphasized the Qur’ān’s relevance to contemporary issues, highlighting its social, cultural, anthropological, and political messages. On the topic of mu‘arrab, however, he made forced comments without sufficient evidence.