Quran and Hadith Studies‎

Methods for discovering the structure of the Quranic surahs with a whole-to-part approach

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Professor, Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 PhD in Quranic and Hadith Sciences, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

10.30497/qhs.2025.248005.4117

Abstract

Structural interpretation is an emerging approach in Quranic studies that views the surah as an interconnected network, rather than a sequence of discrete verses. However, the plurality of opinions and the lack of a systematic algorithm have made understanding the structure subjective. This study aims to design a methodological framework for discovering the structure of the surahs through the analysis of the content of structural interpretations, introducing four key methods: 1. Holistic study based on systemic thinking and assuming the network unity of the surah, 2. Contextualization based on literal-semantic evidence, 3. Discovery of the network of concepts and topics, 4. Application of textual signs (key words and verses, repetitions, rhetorical devices, and the rhythm of the surah). The findings indicate the flexibility of the order of methods and the possibility of choosing one of the two approaches: "whole-to-part" or "part-to-whole". In the part-to-whole approach, the discovery of structure begins by focusing on small textual signs (such as key verses or key words) and gradually leads to the overall map of the surah; however, in the whole-to-part approach, which is the main focus of this research, understanding the overall structure of the surah takes precedence and the details gain meaning in light of this macro-framework. Prioritizing between approaches depends on the mental structure of the interpreter and the characteristics of the surah. In long surahs, a holistic approach reduces analytical dispersion, and in detailed surahs, a detailed approach is more efficient. By systematizing the process of discovering structure, this research is considered a step towards the scientific method of structural understanding of the Quran. 

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Quran and Hadith Studies‎
Volume 19, Issue 1 - Serial Number 37
September 2025
Pages 141-173