The study of revelation’s transformation from oral phenomenon to written text is a key topic in contemporary Quranic studies. Mohammed Arkoun, the prominent Algerian thinker, distinguishes “oral revelation” (first text) from “written muṣḥaf” (second text), offering a novel historical-linguistic analysis. He uses this distinction to historicize revelation and enable pluralistic, critical Quranic interpretations.
Arkoun redefines Quranic revelation as a human, historical event tied to the Prophet’s psycho-physiological and rational processes. He views oral revelation as dynamic, unrepeatable, and transcendent, but during compilation—especially under Uthman amid political-social influences—it becomes the written muṣḥaf, losing some transcendence. The Prophet is an active creator of revelation’s content, not a neutral vessel; the muṣḥaf is a historical, human product unable to bear absolute truth.
This essay employs an analytical-critical method to examine Arkoun’s arguments and highlight their theological, logical, and historical challenges. Findings show that while Arkoun’s critique of absolutism and new horizons in Quranic studies are valuable, his radical oral-written distinction overlooks the Quran’s content unity and inherent sanctity in Islamic tradition. This leads to conceptual and historical weaknesses, potentially undermining textual fixity and the muṣḥaf’s divine authenticity.
hoseini sisakht, A. , najafzadeh, A. and enayati rad, M. J. (2026). Rereading the distinction between "oral revelation" and "written Quran" from the perspective of Muhammad Arkoun. New Intellectual Researchs, (), -. doi: 10.22081/nir.2026.73322.1514
MLA
hoseini sisakht, A. , , najafzadeh, A. , and enayati rad, M. J. . "Rereading the distinction between "oral revelation" and "written Quran" from the perspective of Muhammad Arkoun", New Intellectual Researchs, , , 2026, -. doi: 10.22081/nir.2026.73322.1514
HARVARD
hoseini sisakht, A., najafzadeh, A., enayati rad, M. J. (2026). 'Rereading the distinction between "oral revelation" and "written Quran" from the perspective of Muhammad Arkoun', New Intellectual Researchs, (), pp. -. doi: 10.22081/nir.2026.73322.1514
CHICAGO
A. hoseini sisakht , A. najafzadeh and M. J. enayati rad, "Rereading the distinction between "oral revelation" and "written Quran" from the perspective of Muhammad Arkoun," New Intellectual Researchs, (2026): -, doi: 10.22081/nir.2026.73322.1514
VANCOUVER
hoseini sisakht, A., najafzadeh, A., enayati rad, M. J. Rereading the distinction between "oral revelation" and "written Quran" from the perspective of Muhammad Arkoun. New Intellectual Researchs, 2026; (): -. doi: 10.22081/nir.2026.73322.1514
)