The Deviation of Secular Readings of the Qur’anic Text Muhammad Shahrour’s Interpretation of Polygamy Verses as a Case Study

Abstract

The Qur’an remains a timeless source of guidance, inspiring reflection across diverse contexts. In recent decades, modern secular approaches—shaped by Western legal, scientific, and philosophical thought—have added new dimensions to Qur’anic interpretation. This article critically examines the modernist hermeneutics of engineer Muhammad Shahrour, focusing on his interpretation of polygamy as a case study.

The study explores two key questions: What methodological principles guide Shahrour’s reading of the Qur’an, and how do these inform his views on polygamy? It first outlines the epistemological foundations of his approach, then analyzes his reading of verses related to widows and orphans. The article evaluates the coherence and implications of Shahrour’s reinterpretation within contemporary Islamic thought.