This article delves into Andy Bannister's pioneering work, focusing on how his computerized tool can assist researchers in examining the Qur'an. Bannister's work is part of a broader scholarly effort to analyze the Qur'an based on "stylistic grounds"
By Dr. Tim Orr
This article delves into Andy Bannister's pioneering work, focusing on how his computerized tool can assist researchers in examining the Qur'an. Bannister's work is part of a broader scholarly effort to analyze the Qur'an based on "stylistic grounds" (Flowers, 2018). Although Bannister is not the first to suggest such an analysis, his approach introduces a novel technological dimension to Qur'anic studies.
In his book Fables of the Ancients: Folklore in the Quran (2003), Alan Dundes explored the oral formulae present in the Qur'an. Dundes aimed to demonstrate that the Qur'an was an oral composition by employing the tools of Oral Literary Theory (OLT) developed by Milman Parry and Albert Lord. Dundes utilized a concordance of the Qur'an alongside the OLT method, but his lack of proficiency in Arabic led to his work being discredited by scholars (Dundes, 2003). In contrast, Bannister's study leverages a sophisticated computer program to evaluate the Qur'an's orality, offering a more reliable analysis by considering the original Arabic text.
William Graham, in Beyond the Written Word, emphasizes the centrality of the Qur'an in Islamic tradition: “One cannot imagine a tradition of religious thought and practice more categorically focused upon a sacred book of divinely revealed word than that initiated by Muhammad in the second and third decades of the seventh century” (Graham, 1987, p. 24). This centrality underscores the importance of rigorous scholarly analysis of the Qur'an, which is revered by approximately 1.7 billion Muslims worldwide, second only to the Christian Bible (Abu-Hamdiyyah, 2000).
Jonathan Brown notes that Muslims seek the Qur'an for guidance on understanding God, appropriate actions, and societal organization according to divine will (Brown, 2014). Given the Qur'an's profound influence, constructing a scholarly understanding is imperative. Contemporary scholarship on the Qur'an spans a wide spectrum, from religiously committed to agnostic yet sympathetic perspectives. Even skeptical treatments tend to show deference toward the sacred text (Zadeh, 2015).
The traditional approach to Qur'anic studies, which has been the predominant method for over 1,400 years, primarily relies on memorizing and reciting the text. While this approach has preserved the Qur'an's oral and textual integrity, it has several deficiencies when examined through modern scholarship.
Traditional scholarship often focuses on the Qur'an's theological and doctrinal aspects, leaving little room for critical analysis of its literary and historical context. This can lead to a lack of engagement with the text's stylistic and structural elements. The emphasis on rote memorization and recitation, while preserving the text's integrity, does not encourage critical inquiry or comparative analysis with other literary traditions.
Scholars like Alan Dundes and Andy Bannister emphasize the importance of considering oral formulaic structures when analyzing the Qur'an. Though criticized for his lack of Arabic proficiency, Dundes' work highlights the need for a deeper literary examination. Bannister's use of computerized tools to assess the Qur'an's orality represents an advancement that addresses the shortcomings of traditional methods by enabling a more nuanced and precise analysis of the text's stylistic elements (Dundes, 2003; Flowers, 2018).
Traditional scholars have historically resisted adopting critical methodologies developed in Western academic contexts. This resistance stems from a perceived threat to the sacredness and divine origin of the Qur'an. As a result, approaches such as historical-critical analysis, literary criticism, and oral-formulaic theory have been underutilized or outright rejected in traditional Islamic scholarship. This has limited the scope of inquiry and prevented a fuller understanding of the text's composition and development.
Fred Donner points out that the field of Qur'anic studies remains in disarray, with fundamental questions about the text's origin, transmission, and codification still unresolved. This underscores the need for critical methodologies to provide new insights into these basic yet essential aspects of the Qur'an (Donner, 2015).
While the Qur'an's memorization (hifz) is a remarkable tradition that has ensured its transmission across generations, it has also overshadowed the need for a more analytical and interpretative approach. The focus on memorization can detract from exploring the Qur'an's thematic coherence, narrative structure, and linguistic features using modern analytical tools.
In his examination of oral traditions, William Graham highlights the tension between preserving the text through memorization and the need for critical scholarly analysis. He suggests that while memorization is vital for maintaining the text's integrity, it should not come at the expense of understanding its deeper literary and historical contexts (Graham, 1987).
Traditional Qur'anic scholarship often overlooks the contributions of non-Arabic scholars and fails to engage with broader academic discourse. This can result in a narrow text interpretation confined within specific theological boundaries. By not incorporating diverse perspectives and methodologies, traditional scholarship may miss critical insights that could enhance the understanding of the Qur'an.
Jonathan Brown's work on modern scholars' interpretative challenges illustrates the importance of engaging with diverse academic perspectives. He argues that incorporating insights from various scholarly traditions can lead to a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the Qur'an (Brown, 2014).
Bannister's computerized tool addresses these deficiencies by applying a sophisticated, technological approach to analyzing the Qur'an. This method allows for a more objective and comprehensive examination of the text's orality and structure, free from the biases and limitations of traditional methodologies. By leveraging technology, Bannister's work opens new avenues for research and offers a fresh perspective that could bridge the gap between traditional and critical approaches to Qur'anic studies.
Bannister's computerized tool represents a significant advancement in the study of the Qur'an's orality. Using technology to analyze the original Arabic text, Bannister's work offers a fresh perspective that could bridge the gap between traditional and critical approaches to Quranic studies. The ongoing scholarly efforts, as evidenced by the works of Dundes, Graham, Brown, and Donner, underscore the complexity and importance of understanding the Qur'an's composition and its implications for Islamic theology and practice.
Abu-Hamdiyyah, M. (2000). The Quran: An Introduction. London: Routledge.
Brown, J. A. C. (2014). Misquoting Muhammad: The Challenge and Choices of Interpreting the Prophet’s Legacy. London: Oneworld Publications.
Donner, F. M. (2015). Qur’anic Studies and the Literary Turn. The Journal of the American Oriental Society, 135(2), 329+.
Dundes, A. (2003). Fables of the Ancients: Folklore in the Qur’an. New York: Rowan and Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Flowers, A. (2018). Reconsidering Qur’anic Genre. Journal of Qur’anic Studies, 20(2), 24. Edinburgh University Press.
Graham, W. A. (1987). Beyond the Written Word: Oral aspects of scripture in the history of religion. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Zadeh, T. (2015). Quranic Studies and the Literary Turn. The Journal of the American Oriental Society, 135(2), 329+.