Qur’anic Tafsir (Exegesis): Contemporary Approaches

Dr. Motaz is a Lecturer and Online Course Manager at CMCS in Houston and Manager of the Maqāsid Scholars Fellowship Program at the Maqasid Institute. He holds a PhD from IIUM on Maqāṣid interpretation, with a background in engineering, Uṣūl al-Dīn, and Qur’anic interpretation. He spent two years as a visiting scholar at Baylor University and has published a review on Maqāṣid methodology, focusing on analytical studies and future insights.

This course is the second in the interconnected program “Hermeneutical Methodologies for Interpreting the Qur’an: From the Classical Islamic Period to the Contemporary Context” It builds on the foundational concepts covered in “Qur’anic Exegesis: Classical Approaches” by examining modern interpretative frameworks. While participation in the first course is not mandatory, it provides essential background knowledge that enhances the learning experience in this course.

Program Synopsis:

This course explores contemporary approaches to Qur’anic interpretation, including thematic exegesis, historical context analysis, and the Maqāṣid Methodology. Participants will engage with modern scholarly perspectives and examine how contemporary contexts shape Qur’anic interpretation. This course is offered in collaboration with The Center for Muslim & Christian Studies, Houston, fostering a unique interdisciplinary approach to Qur’anic studies.

Course Objectives

Understand contemporary Qur’anic exegesis methodologies.
Explore modern interpretative tools and frameworks.
Analyze case studies applying contemporary interpretation methods

Course Outline

First session :
Emergence of Contemporary Approaches
Second session :
Islamic Contemporary Approaches

Third session :
Non-Islamic Contemporary Approaches
Fourth session :
Introduction to Maqāṣid Methodology in Tafsīr

Participants' Responsibilities

Attend live sessions.
Submit their answers to thought-provoking questions after each lecture.
Participate in the discussion forum after each unit.
Complete the final assignment at the end of this course.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to critically analyze contemporary Tafsīr approaches, understand modern interpretative challenges, and apply advanced methodologies to interpret Qur’anic texts.

Certification/Completion Criteria

Participants will receive a certificate of completion if they meet the following criteria:

Attend at least 75% of the sessions.
Submit all assignments on time.
Actively participate in discussions and presentations.
Complete the final project after completing both courses.

Explore More

This course follows the foundational “Qur’anic Exegesis: Classical Approaches” course held in January-February 2025. While not mandatory, participating in the first course provides essential background knowledge and enhances the learning experience in this course. Together, these courses offer a comprehensive understanding of Qur’anic interpretation from classical to contemporary perspectives.