نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
عنوان مقاله English
نویسنده English
A comparative examination of Theodor Noldeke and Alois Sprenger’s perspectives on the role of Quran memorizers in textual transmission constitutes an effort to explore one of the lesser-studied dimensions of Orientalist Quranic scholarship. While most Western research has focused on the written compilation of the Qurʾān and the chronological order of revelation, the role of Quran memorizers as bearers of oral narration during and subsequent to the revelation has received relatively scant attention from these two Orientalists. In his seminal work History of the Qurʾān, Noldeke primarily addressed the historical and stylistic structure of the Qurʾān, analyzing the role of memorizers within the framework of official compilation by the early caliphates. By contrast, Sprenger, adopting a psychological and historical approach, attributed particular significance to the memory of the Prophet and his Companions, viewing oral transmission of the Qurʾān as an integral component of the sacred text’s formation. Employing a descriptive-analytical method and drawing upon primary and secondary sources, this article compares these two Orientalists’ views regarding the validity of oral narration, the role of memorizers in preserving and transmitting the text, and the impact of these perspectives on their theories concerning the final compilation of the Qurʾān. The findings reveal that Noldeke, from a structural and historical vantage point, regards oral narration as a transitional stage, whereas Sprenger considers it a fundamental aspect of the process of revelatory transmission. This divergence of approach is reflected not only in their respective analyses of the Qurʾān but also in their distinct modes of engaging with Islamic sources. By foregrounding these differences, the present study offers a novel framework for comparative reflection in Quranic scholarship.
کلیدواژهها English
