Deconstructing Epistemology: A Human-Centered Critical Analysis of Western Hermeneutics in Qur'anic Interpretation

The intersection of Western hermeneutical frameworks and Qur’anic exegesis has introduced a

profound epistemological tension within modern Islamic scholarship. This paper seeks to

critically examine the implications of applying Western interpretive models—traditionally rooted

in Biblical criticism and secular literary theory—to the ontological fabric of the Qur’an. By

adopting a qualitative-philosophical lens, the study explores the systemic shift from a revelation-

centric epistemology toward a more "human-centered" hermeneutic.

The analysis focuses on how the subjective agency of the interpreter and their socio-historical

context are prioritized in modern readings, often at the expense of the text's divine status.

Through a deconstructive critique of key Western theories (including those of Gadamer and

Ricoeur), the research uncovers an inherent epistemological bias that tends to secularize the

metaphysical dimensions of Islamic revelation. The findings suggest that while these Western

tools offer sophisticated methods for historical contextualization, they frequently struggle to

accommodate the unique transcendental claims of the Qur’an. Ultimately, this study argues for a

more nuanced interpretive synthesis—one that acknowledges the rigors of modern critical

thought without compromising the foundational epistemological integrity of Islamic tradition.