The Revelation of the Qur’ān and the Thoughts of Craig Considine

نزول ِقرآن اور کریگ کونسڈائن کے افکار

Abstract

The revelation of the Qurʾān (waḥy) constitutes the foundational source of Islamic belief, law, and worldview, and occupies a central position in Muslim theological and intellectual tradition. In contemporary Western scholarship, the Qurʾān and its revelatory nature have been approached from diverse perspectives, including sociological, ethical, and interfaith frameworks. Among these contemporary voices is Craig Considine, a Christian sociologist whose writings focus on Christian–Muslim relations, religious pluralism, and the ethical dimensions of Islamic teachings. This study critically examines the concept of Qurʾānic revelation in light of Craig Considine’s interpretations and reflections. It explores how Considine engages with the Qurʾān primarily as a moral and humanistic text aimed at fostering interreligious understanding, rather than as a divinely revealed scripture defined by classical Islamic doctrines of waḥy. By comparing his sociological and inclusive readings with the traditional Islamic understanding of Qurʾānic revelation as preserved in the sciences of the Qurʾān (ʿUlūm al-Qurʾān) and classical tafsīr, the article highlights points of convergence and divergence between the two approaches. The study argues that while Considine’s perspective contributes positively to interfaith dialogue and counters Islamophobic narratives, it remains limited in addressing the theological depth and epistemological framework of Qurʾānic revelation as understood within Islamic scholarship. The article thus seeks to situate Considine’s thoughts within broader contemporary discourse and assess their relevance and limitations from an Islamic academic standpoint.