The hermeneutics of renewal in Khaled Abou El Fadl’s writings

Abahussain, Arwa 2023. The hermeneutics of renewal in Khaled Abou El Fadl’s writings. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

While current studies on Khaled Abou El Fadl tend to study his methodology devoid of its context, this research will examine how Abou El Fadl's diverse Islamic and Western backgrounds and life context have influenced his hermeneutics and methodology of renewal. The thesis is structured according to four stages in Abou El Fadl's life. These phases serve as a systematic basis to analyse and interpret the progress of his thoughts. The first stage explores his migration to America and the experience of the Muslim minority. The second stage represents the development of his hermeneutics and methodology of reform, where he questions the authority of texts (Qur'an and Hadith) and human interpretation, introducing 'beauty' as a universal/Islamic moral reference for investigating the authenticity and relativity of the textual tradition. The next stage studies the post-September 11 reflections on Abou El Fadl's criticism of modern Muslim discourse and his definition of extremism. Finally, the Arab uprising and politicisation of Islam and how Abou El Fadl interpreted the role of Shariah and employed Islam as an ideological and religious reference in response to those revolutions. Although the discourses in those phases responded to certain contextual challenges, they cannot be conceived of independently. They, as a connected chain of thoughts, contribute to forming and completing Abou El Fadl’s hermeneutical methodology.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	History, Archaeology and Religion
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BJ Ethics B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BL Religion
Funders:	King Abdulaziz University
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	2 September 2024
Date of Acceptance:	2 September 2024
Last Modified:	04 Sep 2024 13:56
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/171749

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